Iran has started the process of producing 20 percent enriched uranium, defying world powers who have warned of new sanctions unless the Islamic republic halts its sensitive nuclear drive. From today we have started the 20 percent enrichment in a separate cascade in Natanz, Iran's atomic chief Ali Akbar Salehi told the official news agency. Several Iranian media networks reported the process was being carried out under the supervision of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) but there was no immediate confirmation from the UN nuclear watchdog. Iran's launch of the stepped-up enrichment process comes as the United States and France warned they will push for strong new UN sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear drive. China on Tuesday repeated a call for further dialogue with Iran.
