Iran defies UN nuclear watchdogs to begin uranium processing

IRAN began processing uranium more than a week ago to prepare it for enrichment - a process that can be used to make nuclear weapons - in defiance of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog.

Iran’s president said Tehran would not give in to foreign pressure aimed at stopping what he said was a peaceful nuclear energy program.

A spokeswoman for the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the uranium processing was being closely monitored by the IAEA. “The uranium conversion is being conducted under the supervision of the IAEA,” agency spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said.