The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded that Iran is starting to enrich uranium on a much larger scale than before.

The New York Times reported Monday that at an inspection of Iran's main nuclear facility at Natanz on Sunday, IAEA inspectors found that Iranian engineers were already using roughly 1,300 centrifuges and could build another 5,000 centrifuges before the year's end.

The New York Times added that until recently some experts believed that Iranian engineers had technical problems keeping centrifuges spinning at the rate needed to make nuclear fuel; but the country's scientists have managed to overcome the key technical problems.

The report said the Iranian engineers are able to have 3,000 centrifuges operational as early as next month.

Iran has reiterated that it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes under the provisions of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

AO/MR/ RE