An Iranian nuclear agency chief has denied claims made by a top governor that the Islamic republic had begun installing 3,000 centrifuges at an uranium enrichment plant, it was reported today.

Iran is currently installing 3,000 centrifuges, a top Iranian governor said today in an announcement underlining that Iran will continue its nuclear programme despite UN sanctions.

Iran has begun installing 3,000 centrifuges, a top Iranian governor said today.

Iran today hailed the execution of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein as "enforcer of the most horrendous crimes against humanity", but many Iranians said Saddam should have stood trial for invading Iran and Kuwait before being hanged.

Iran today dismissed a UN report that inspectors found new traces of enriched uranium and plutonium at an Iranian nuclear waste facility, saying it has already explained the discovery.

Iran has increased the brinkmanship over its disputed nuclear programme, abruptly postponing talks with Moscow on a plan to enrich Tehran’s uranium on Russian territory to allay fears it is building an atomic weapon.