TEHRAN: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visit the key Iranian nuclear plant in the central city of Natanz on Monday to mark the national day of nuclear technology. “Ceremonies marking the national day of nuclear technology will be organised in the presence of President Ahmadinejad in Natanz on April 9,” said a statement from Iran's atomic energy organisation. Ahmadinejad has promised that he will soon be announcing “good news” about Iran's nuclear programme, and news of his visit is likely to fuel speculation he will choose the occasion to make an important announcement.

The head of Iran's atomic energy organisation, Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, had said on Monday that the Islamic republic would be announcing good news on its nuclear programme next week. Natanz is the plant where Iran carries out enrichment of uranium, a sensitive process that the West fears could be diverted to make nuclear weapons. Iran insists the atomic drive is peaceful.—AFP