Iran Underground Nuclear Plant Almost Finished, N.Y. Times Says

Iran has almost completed an underground nuclear enrichment facility in what may be an attempt to influence negotiations with the U.S. and Europe, the New York Times said, citing unidentified intelligence officials.

Almost 3,000 centrifuges are being installed at the Fordo plant constructed in the side of a mountain, putting Iran closer to being able to build a nuclear weapon should the country’s leaders decide to do so, the report said. The work has proceeded in the face of U.S., European and Israeli vows to stop it through sanctions that have damaged the Iranian economy.