New Iran nuclear work is confirmed

VIENNA - The Associated Press

In this Sept. 26, 2009 file satellite image provided by GeoEye shows a facility under construction inside a mountain located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north northeast of Qom, Iran. AP Photo

Diplomats have confirmed reports that Iran has begun uranium enrichment at a new underground bunker and say the process is producing material that can be upgraded quickly for use in a nuclear weapon.

Two diplomats tell The Associated Press that centrifuges at the Fordo, Iran, site are churning out 20 percent uranium. That's higher than the 3.5 percent being made at Iran's main enrichment plant and can be turned more easily into fissile warhead material.

The diplomats said Monday that 348 machines are operating at Fordo. They based their information on an inspection last week by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

They asked for anonymity because their information is confidential.