PARIS - France denounced Tuesday Iran's new plan to add centrifuges and to further enrich uranium, calling the move a "provocation."

"Iran is making in a new provocation by announcing the upcoming installation of new generation centrifuges," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"We condemn this headlong rush which threatens regional and international peace and security," it added.

The statement came after Iran's announcement to install new centrifuges expected to accelerate the country's nuclear program.

In the statement, Paris urged Tehran to "suspend its sensitive activities and provide the favorable conditions" to resume talks with world major countries.

Tehran repeatedly insisted on peaceful aspect of its nuclear program, but the United States and its western allies worry that Iran would use the uranium enrichment to make nuclear weapons.