Iran launched three nuclear projects on Wednesday including a fourth generation Ultra Centrifuge, which is capable of enriching the Uranium faster than its earlier models.

At a function in Teheran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled three nuclear projects. The first one was at the Iranian Atomic Organization Research Center in Tehran where Iran’s first home-made nuclear fuel rods were loaded into a medical reactor.

This would be used for production of isotopes used in treatment of cancer patients. Ahmedinejad unveiled by Video Conference link-up, two other projects in the Natanz plant in central Iran.

These include a facility which will enable the plant to enrich uranium to 20 per cent.

The fourth generation Ultracentrifuge will enable far higher enrichment speed than previous models. Enriched uranium is a critical component for both civil nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi and nuclear Chief Mohammad Abbasi were present on the occasion.

The unveiling ceremony in Tehran was broadcast live on IRIB TV network.

Iran says 20-percent enriched of Uranium is necessary for its Tehran research reactor to make isotopes for treating cancers.

Western nations and Israel fear the enrichment is a part of Tehran’s drive to produce nuclear weapons. Iran denies these charges and says its program is only for peaceful civilian purposes.