Iran said yesterday it was dramatically expanding its nuclear programme, in a move that raises the stakes in the international dispute over the programme and which could further inflame tensions in the Middle East.
Tehran's announcement of plans to build 10 new uranium enrichment plants is likely to exacerbate concerns that it could use its nuclear infrastructure for weapons purposes and comes after Iran was censured at the United Nations nuclear watchdog last week.
An expansion of Iran's nuclear programme would also dash any remaining hope that Tehran would agree to a compromise proposal negotiated in October and championed by the Obama administration as a first step towards engagement.