Iran defies international policy

Iran's state media announced Monday the country is going to build a second nuclear power plant in the southwestern Khuzestan province.

The news, released by the IRNA state news agency, comes amid growing U.S. and European concern over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, with talks between Iran and EU negotiators due to restart within days.

The country's first reactor at Bushehr is due to start producing electricity soon.

Meanwhile, Iran's Secretary of Supreme National Security Ali Larijani told Monday that the nuclear talks between Iran and Europe should be conducted with no preconditions, such as Russia's suggestion that it process spent uranium and return it.

"The place of enrichment will not be the topic of our talks," Larijani said. "What will be raised during the talks is that enrichment process in Iran will not be diverted from its peaceful path."

Iran has previously said it wants to build 20 nuclear power stations in as many years to meet its future energy needs, UPI reports.

V.Y.