Iran 'could have nuclear bomb in three years'

Iran could have enough uranium to produce a nuclear bomb by 2012, experts warned today.

The International Atomic Energy Authority believes Iran will start enriching uranium at a former top secret plant in two years time, according to sources.

Iran denies it wants a nuclear weapons programme, saying it is creating only nuclear fuel.

President Barack Obama turned up the pressure yesterday by saying Iran was running out of time to agree a UN-brokered plan to send its low-enriched enriched uranium out of the country to enrich it to a higher level.

The West had hoped this plan would dramatically reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium and thwart any attempts to build nuclear weapons.

Iran's president warned the West not to pressure him over the nuclear programme, saying that only made the country more determined to gain power by advancing its nuclear technology.

The comment by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appeared to be a veiled threat that Iran would try to intensify its efforts to enrich uranium if nuclear negotiations with the international community fail.

"Co-operation with Iran in the nuclear field is in the interests of Westerners. Their opposition will make Iran more powerful and advanced," Ahmadinejad said.

Iran sees its nuclear programme as a matter of national pride and regional influence.