Iran Plans New Nuclear Enrichment Plants

The announcement came just two days after the United Nations' nuclear watchdog group, the International Atomic Energy Agency, demanded that Iran immediately freeze operations at a once-secret enrichment plant near the holy city of Qum. Russia and China, which had previously balked at joining strong statements of rebuke of Iran endorsed the demand.

Iran responded to the IAEA resolution today with Parliament calling on the government to reduce cooperation with the UN agency.

"Because of world powers' hasty behaviour, the Government should submit its plan over reducing Iran's cooperation level with the agency," the Parliament said in a statement.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs issued this statement: "If true, this would be yet another serious violation of Iran's clear obligations under multiple UN security council resolutions, and another example of Iran choosing to isolate itself. The international community has made clear that Iran has rights, but with those rights come responsibilities. As the overwhelming IAEA board of governors vote made clear, time is running out for Iran to address the international community's growing concerns about its nuclear program."