Iran’s senior politicians have rejected a UN-backed plan to ship much of the country’s uranium abroad for further enrichment.

IRANIAN authorities have freed 140 people detained in street protests over last month’s disputed election and the supreme leader ordered a jail closed amid opposition claims of prisoner abuse.

Iran’s leadership was today furious over Russia’s refusal to ship fuel for its first nuclear power plant, signalling a possible break in a long-time alliance that has helped protect Tehran from tough UN sanctions.

IRAN’S parliament approved a bill yesterday requiring the government to block international inspections of its atomic facilities if the UN nuclear monitoring agency refers it to the Security Council for possible sanctions.