IRAN intends to enrich uranium on a scale hundreds of times larger than its current level, the country's deputy nuclear chief said yesterday.

Iran’s deputy nuclear chief today said Iran intended to move toward large-scale uranium enrichment involving 54,000 centrifuges, signalling the country’s resolve to expand a programme the United Nations has demanded it halt.

Iran and Russia have agreed in principle to establish a joint uranium enrichment venture, a breakthrough in talks on a US-backed Kremlin proposal aimed at easing concerns that Tehran wants to build nuclear weapons.

Iran and Russia today agreed in principle to establish a joint uranium enrichment venture, a breakthrough in talks on a US-backed Kremlin proposal aimed at easing concerns that Tehran wants to build nuclear weapons.

Iran broke UN seals on its nuclear enrichment facility, pledging only to conduct research, but the international nuclear watchdog said Tehran also planned small-scale enrichment of uranium – a process that can produce fuel for nuclear weapons.

Iran’s row with the West over its nuclear programme escalated today with America warning of international sanctions.

IRAN has decided to resume research into nuclear fuel production, but would not enrich uranium, a top official said yesterday.

Iran’s president escorted reporters on an unprecedented visit to the once-secret Natanz nuclear complex today, giving a glimpse into the underground uranium enrichment plant the US and Europe demand be shut down.