Iran's president has told the country's nuclear chief to step up the enrichment of uranium, in a move that has brought condemnation from some Western nations.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has asked uranium to be enriched to 20%. Civilian nuclear power requires uranium enriched to about 3% while weapons-grade uranium needs to be enriched to 90%.
Britain and Germany have condemned the move, while the United States Defence Secretary, Robert Gates, has called for increased pressure on Iran.
Mr Ahmadinejad made the announcement a day after Western scepticism had been expressed at Iran's earlier claim that a deal to swap enriched uranium for nuclear fuel was close.
Tehran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.
