Nuclear fuel breakthrough

IRAN announced a nuclear fuel breakthrough and test-fired a new radar-evading medium-range missile in the Gulf yesterday, moves that could further antagonise the West at a time when Tehran is trying to avert harsh new sanctions on its oil industry.

US president Barack Obama signed a law on Saturday imposing tougher financial sanctions to penalise Iran for a nuclear research programme that the West suspects is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.

The move could for the first time hurt Tehran’s oil exports, and the European Union is due to consider similar steps soon.