Iran will begin building its third plant for enriching uranium in 2011, the head of its atomic energy organization said.
Ali Akbar Salehi made the announcement Monday, the French news agency AFP reported.
Also Monday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad signed a law compelling Tehran to continue enriching uranium and limiting its cooperation with the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog.
Ahmadinejad announced last year that 10 uranium-enriching plants would be constructed. Iran has one functioning plant now; a second is under construction.
Salehi did not say where the new plant would be built. In the past he reportedly has said that plants would be built in areas not vulnerable to air attacks.
The United States, the United Nations and the European Union have passed stricter sanctions against Iran for refusing to stop enriching uranium. Iran said the uranium will only be used for energy.
