cta-image

Donate

Donations from readers like you allow us to do what we do. Please help us continue our work with a monthly or one-time donation.

Donate Today
cta-image

Subscribe Today

Subscribe to receive daily or weekly MEMRI emails on the topics that most interest you.
Subscribe
cta-image

Request a Clip

Media, government, and academia can request a MEMRI clip or other MEMRI research, or ask to consult with or interview a MEMRI expert.
Request Clip
memri
Feb 21, 2006
Share Video:

Head of Iranian Nuclear Organization Reveals: UCF and Natanz Facilities Are Built in Tunnels Deep Underground in a Mountain; Bombing Would Not Cause Radioactive Contamination

#1051 | 02:52
Source: Channel 2 (Iran)IRIB/ Jaam-E-Jam2 TV (Iran)

Following are excerpts from interviews with the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Gholam-Reza Aghazadeh, aired on Jaam-e Jam2 TV on February 21, 2006 and on Channel 2, Iranian TV on February 16, 2006.

Jaam-e Jam2 TV, February 21, 2006

Caller from California: Those who do not have faith in the expertise and wisdom of the Iranians have spread the rumor that if the West - especially America - strikes any of the Iranian [nuclear] centers with missiles, all the cities surrounding that center would be contaminated by radioactive materials, and the population of that area would suffer the same disaster as Hiroshima. I know this is impossible, but if it does happen, would there indeed be such contamination?

[...]

Gholam-Reza Aghazadeh: Next to the Uranium Conversion Facilities [UCF], fortified tunnels were built under a great mountain. All our raw material and products are stored in these safe places. No attack or military operation could affect this complex.

Besides, this is merely a rumor. The uranium that we convert to UF6 in Esfahan cannot cause the kind of contamination that spreads. What usually causes concern and serious problems in the world is the bombing of nuclear power plants, which is forbidden by all conventions. If a certain country conducts uranium-related activities in a certain plant, the bombing of that plant is forbidden. If such a disaster occurs, America would not be able to show its face for all eternity.

In my opinion, all this talk is merely propaganda. They would not dare to do such a thing. They are much more vulnerable than us.

As I said before, this is merely propaganda. The Natanz facilities are also deep underground. They are not out in the open. They themselves know that in Iran such [bombing] is impossible.

[...]

Channel 2, Iranian TV, February 16, 2006

Let's assume sanctions are placed on us.We are not dependent on anyone. All the raw materials and the parts are manufactured and assembled in Iran. They are threatening to bomb [our nuclear facilities]. Go ahead and bomb us. We will rebuild them. Besides, this would cause us to work underground.

[...]

Share this Clip: