Iran expand nuclear programme

Iran has announced that it has expanded its nuclear programme, a move which is likely to further aggravate relations with the West.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran was now capable of enriching nuclear fuel "on an industrial level".

The White House said it was concerned about Iran's announcement that it had begun enriching uranium with 3,000 centrifuges.

"We are very concerned about Iran's announcement that they entered an industrial stage of nuclear fuel production," said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.

"Iran continues to defy the international community and further isolate itself by expanding its nuclear program, rather than suspending uranium enrichment," he added.

The announcement came as Iran celebrated the anniversary of its first success in enriching small amounts of uranium.

The UN has imposed limited sanctions on Iran until it suspends enrichment, a key process that can produce either fuel for a nuclear reactor or the basis of a warhead.

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