Iran announced Friday it was activating new advanced centrifuges – which enrich uranium for the country’s nuclear program – after the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog criticized the country for not cooperating with the agency.

With thousands of advanced centrifuges on standby, Tehran says it is now spinning more, which could increase its stockpile of near-bomb-grade atomic fuel.

Iran announced activation of new, advanced centrifuges in response to resolution passed by IAEA’s board - Anadolu Ajansı

Iran said it will increase the number of centrifuges in its nuclear program in response to a censure by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, ratcheting up tensions with the West just days after it signaled a willingness to ease them.

Iran said Friday it had begun commissioning new advanced uranium-enrichment centrifuges after it was censured by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The action could lead to sanctions against Tehran, which has barred international monitoring of its accelerated uranium enrichment efforts.

The US, Britain, France and Germany have expressed “serious concern” over Iran’s plans to launch a series of new centrifuges for its nuclear program, urging Tehran to re-engage with the UN nuclear watchdog.

The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors passed a resolution chiding Iran's poor cooperation with the agency after hours of heated exchanges, diplomats told AFP late on Thursday, a move Tehran called "politically motivated".

Iran said Friday it would launch a series of "new and advanced" centrifuges in response to a resolution adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog that censures Tehran for what the