Iran's nuclear chief concerned over atomic power plant fate

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's nuclear chief has raised concerns for the fate of the country's only atomic power plant amid talks with the West about a final deal to curb the Iranian nuclear program, according to the Associated Press.

Ali Akbar Salehi says the country needs 30,000 more centrifuges to enrich uranium and produce enough nuclear fuel to run the Bushehr power plant for a year. The plant was made with Russian help and has been online since 2011.

Salehi's remarks were carried on Monday, April 14, by the government-run Iran newspaper.

World powers negotiating a final deal with Iran want a reduction — not an increase — in the number of centrifuges Tehran is operating to remove concerns that the Islamic Republic may use its enrichment capabilities to build a nuclear weapon.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.