Iran produces 17g of enriched uranium

Iran's nuclear chief said today that his country has produced 17kg (37.5lb) of uranium enriched to 20%, defying UN demands to halt the controversial programme.

The 20% level, needed to produce fuel for a medical research reactor, is far below the more than 90% required to build a nuclear weapon, but US officials have expressed concern that Iran may be moving closer to the ability to reach weapons-grade level.