Iran will never shut down Fordow enrichment plant: MP

(Reuters) - Iran will never shut down its Fordow uranium enrichment plant, a senior legislator was quoted as saying on Sunday, brushing off a demand from world powers who fear Tehran is working to develop an atomic weapons capability.

The Islamic republic, which insists its nuclear program is purely peaceful, started building the plant inside a mountain in secret as early as 2006, to protect it from air strikes.

Last week, Reuters reported world powers were planning to offer to ease sanctions barring trade in gold and other precious metals with Iran in return for steps to shut down Fordow.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of parliament's national security and foreign policy committee, referred to the reported offer on Sunday and dismissed any idea of a closure, the Iranian Students' News Agency reported.

"Fordow will never be shut down because ... our national duty is to be able to defend our nuclear and vital centers against an enemy threat," Boroujerdi was quoted as saying by the agency.

"This suggestion (shutting down Fordow) is meant to help the Zionist regime (Israel)," he added.

more here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/17/us-iran-nuclear-fordow-idUSBRE91G06Q20130217