TEHRAN - The head of the Atomic Energy Organization announced on Thursday that Iran has already built a third nuclear enrichment facility in a secure and safe place and it soon start installing centrifuge machines there.

Mohammad Eslami made the announcement hours after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors passed a censure resolution against Iran under the leadership of the European trio of Britain, France and Germany and the backing of the United States. 

Mohammad Eslami said Iran has notified the IAEA of the third nuclear enrichment facility.

"We have prepared the place for the third enrichment site, which is a secure facility in terms of safety and security. With the letter sent to the Agency today, the process of equipping and installing the machines will now commence," Eslami stated.

“Extract concessions”

Earlier Thursday, Eslami said these moves are “a set of political and psychological measures” led by the United States, with the active involvement of three European countries, the IAEA director general and the influence of the Zionist regime of Israel.

The nuclear chief said the goal of such moves is to “extract concessions” from Iran.

 “Level of cooperation with IAEA under review”

Eslami’s deputy Behrouz Kamlavandi said the launch of the new nuclear enrichment facility will incredibly increase Iran’s stockpile of nuclear fuels.

Kamalvandi also said Iran’s level of cooperation with the IAEA has been extensive and matchless. However, he said the level of cooperation is “under review.”

"Among the 32 countries that have Safeguards agreements with the IAEA, Iran alone accounts for 72% of inspections. Overall, 22 percent of the Agency's inspections worldwide are carried out in our country,” he said. 

“We will not be deterred from our legitimate course”

Masoud Pezeshkian also responded to the recent anti-Iran resolution at the IAEA board, stating, “Such a resolution will not deter us from our legitimate course.”

Emphasizing that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes, he reaffirmed, “It is the directive of the Leader of the Revolution that we must not pursue nuclear weapons.”

He further noted that any calls within the country to develop nuclear arms are unfounded, as the Leader “holds the ultimate authority on this matter.”

 “Anti-Iran resolution adds to complexity of talks”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the anti-Iran resolution at the IAEA board has added to the complexity of the nuclear talks as he is set to sit for the sixth round of negotiations with U.S. chief negotiator Steve Witkoff in Oman on Sunday.