Pittsburgh, PA – Obama: Iran Hiding a Nuclear Facility

Pittsburgh, PA – Iran has been accused of concealing a second uranium enrichment plant in defiance of international calls for transparency over its nuclear plans.

Prior to the opening of the G20 economic summit in Pittsburgh this morning, U.S. President Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown demanded UN inspectors have immediate access to the facility.

According to The NY Times Iran revealed the existence of the plant to the UN watchdog on Monday, saying it was not yet operational and would only be used for nuclear energy.

Tehran has previously acknowledged it has one enrichment plant, at Natanz.

According to the Associated Press Iran’s letter to the IAEA provided little detail, other than acknowledging that a second plant has been built.

Iran’s decision to build a secret facility represented a “direct challenge to the basic compact” of the global non-proliferation regime, Mr Obama said, making a statement in Pittsburgh, where he is hosting the G20 summit.

Mr Obama said that despite Iran’s assertions that the facility was for peaceful purposes, the new plant was “not consistent” with that goal.

Speaking alongside UK PM Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Mr Obama said it was time for Iran to begin meeting its international commitments.

“Iran must comply with UN Security Council resolutions and make clear it is prepared to meet its responsibilities as a member of the community of nations,” Mr Obama said.

Tehran would be held accountable for any failure to meet these responsibilities, he said.