Salehi: Iran will not withdraw from NPT

"Iran's official stance is to remain a committed member of the NPT," IRNA quoted Salehi as saying on Monday.

"This stance is good for Iran and the entire world", he stated, adding that Tehran plans to build two more uranium enrichment plants during the next Iranian calendar year, which begins on March 21.

Salehi asserted that Iran needs 20,000 megawatts of electricity to meet the domestic demand for energy.

"God willing, the construction of two new [uranium] enrichment sites may begin in the new Iranian year on the order of the president," Salehi said.

"We intend to use new generation centrifuges at these two facilities," he told the Iranian Students News Agency.

Up to 20 potential sites for the construction of the 10 new enrichment facilities have been located, as ordered by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he added.

Salehi said the new enrichment plants will be similar to the Natanz enrichment facility in terms of production.