Rafsanjani says Iran producing atomic fuel

Reuters.com:

"We operated the first unit which comprises of 164 centrifuges, gas was injected, and we got the industrial output,' Rafsanjani said in his interview with KUNA.

Ahmadinejad had said he would announce 'good news' on atomic progress on Tuesday night, but had not given details.

Rafsanjani's announcement may have been aimed at trumping his rival and taking credit for progress in the nuclear program, which has broad support in Iran, analysts said.

'They are competing with each other for who will be the first person,' political analyst Saeed Laylaz said.

IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei is expected to visit Iran later this week to seek full Iranian cooperation with the Council and IAEA inquiries. The announcement of advances in enrichment work by Iran will cast an embarrassing cloud over ElBaradei's trip."