Iran loaded locally built fuel plates into its nuclear research reactor in Tehran, state-run Press TV reported today, as it showed images of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inside the facility.
Only a few countries, including France and the United States, have the technology to build the 20 per cent enriched fuel plates needed for the reactor, according to Iranian officials, and Mr Ahmadinejad described the step as a "major" nuclear feat.
Iranian scientists achieved the breakthrough in line with a policy of "nuclear energy for all and nuclear weapons for none," the Islamic Republic News Agency said.
The move shows that Iran won't be intimidated and will pursue its technological advancement, the Iranian Students News Agency said.
The announcement comes at a time of increased tension between Iran and western powers over its nuclear activities, with tighter sanctions imposed by the US and European Union that restrict trade and financial transactions.
Israel, which Iran does not recognise, has said time is running out for sanctions to work as a deterrent to nuclear weapons development in the Islamic republic, and Israeli leaders have said a military strike may be needed.
Israel accused Iran of involvement in car-bomb attacks this week that targeted Israeli diplomats in India and Georgia. Iran rejected the claims as baseless, howver.
Tehran claims Israel is behind a series of killings of Iranian nuclear scientists, and accuses the Jewish state of being the first Middle Eastern country to develop nuclear weapons, which Israel neither confirms nor denies.
Iran, a signatory to the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, says its nuclear programme is purely civilian and aimed at producing electricity for its growing population.
The Tehran Research Reactor produces medical isotopes for cancer treatment and operates using metal plates constructed with 20 per cent enriched uranium.
Iran sought to swap raw uranium fuel for the reactor plates in 2009 as part of a confidence-building deal proposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Bloomberg