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Iran 'ups nuclear fuel enriching' Iran 'ups nuclear fuel enriching'
(20 minutes later)
Iran has started the process of enriching uranium to 20% in defiance of the West, Iranian state media says.Iran has started the process of enriching uranium to 20% in defiance of the West, Iranian state media says.
The process was begun at the Natanz plant in the presence of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, al-Alam state television reported.The process was begun at the Natanz plant in the presence of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, al-Alam state television reported.
The move came after Western powers stepped up pressure for international sanctions against Iran.The move came after Western powers stepped up pressure for international sanctions against Iran.
The US and its Western allies say Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon - a charge Iran denies.The US and its Western allies say Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon - a charge Iran denies.
The BBC's John Leyne says Tuesday's announcement is designed to stress Iran's view that it is only acting within its rights.
Experts are still divided over whether Iran has taken the decision to actually build a bomb, he says.
Iran currently enriches uranium to a level of 3.5% but requires 20% enriched uranium for its Tehran research reactor, which is meant to produce medical isotopes. A bomb would require uranium enriched to at least 90%.Iran currently enriches uranium to a level of 3.5% but requires 20% enriched uranium for its Tehran research reactor, which is meant to produce medical isotopes. A bomb would require uranium enriched to at least 90%.
Enriching to 20% would take about one year, using the 2,000 centrifuges at the underground Natanz facility, experts say.Enriching to 20% would take about one year, using the 2,000 centrifuges at the underground Natanz facility, experts say.
But moving from 20% to 90% would take only six months and only require between 500 and 1,000 centrifuges.But moving from 20% to 90% would take only six months and only require between 500 and 1,000 centrifuges.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and designed to provide civilian power.Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and designed to provide civilian power.
It had announced on Sunday that it aimed to produce uranium enriched to 20%.
On Monday, the US and France said the time had come "for the adoption of strong sanctions".
The British government described Iran's new position as deeply worrying.
The UN Security Council has already imposed three rounds of sanctions against Iran in an effort to make it cease all uranium enrichment activities and heavy-water projects, which could produce weapons-grade plutonium.