Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- Iran is starting design work on a new nuclear reactor, the head of the country's Atomic Energy Organization said Wednesday, according to Iranian media.
The design should be complete in two to three years and the reactor should be operational within five, Ali Akbar Salehi told the official Islamic Republic News Agency.
The remarks come a week after the United Nations Security Council slapped new sanctions on Iran as punishment for its controversial nuclear program.
The United States and its allies believe Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies it, saying its nuclear program is for energy and medical research.
Salehi described the planned new facility as a "research reactor." Iran currently has a research reactor which produces medical isotopes.
