International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Yukiya Amano said that he was concerned about Irans announcement that it would ramp up its uranium enrichment programme. The IAEA has tried since October to get Tehran to sign on to a multinational deal under which Russia and France would enrich Iranian uranium to a level of nearly 20 per cent and turn it into nuclear fuel. IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano noted with concern this decision, as it may affect, in particular, ongoing international efforts to ensure the availability of nuclear fuel for the Tehran research reactor,. However, Amano remained ready to play an intermediary role in the proposed deal, which also has the support of the United States. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates called for new sanctions against the Islamic state earlier Monday, while the British Foreign Office urged Iran to abandon its contradictory rhetoric and engage in negotiations
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