Iran has started the enrichment process of its uranium. According to Iranian ISNA news agency, the Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said that the country started enriching uranium to a purity of 20 percent from today with the presence of the IAEA inspectors in central Iranian city of Natanz. He added that Iran’s offer is still open and it is ready to receive fuel from abroad which may exchanged within the country's territory.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, the United States and France have said they will push for strong new UN anti-nuclear sanctions against Iran. After talks in Paris French President Nicolas Sarkozy and US Defence Secretary Robert Gates agreed that tough new sanctions must be passed against Iran. But China however has urges more talks in wake of calls for sanctions on Iran over uranium enrichment plans. The head of IAEA has also expressed concern at Iran’s announcement. In a statement IAEA Director General reiterated the agency’s readiness to play an intermediary role on the issue of the Tehran reactor.<br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports that the head of International Atomic Energy agency, IAEA has expressed concern at Iran’s decision and its Director General reiterated the agency’s readiness to play an intermediary role on the issue. While United States and France have said they will push for strong new UN sanctions against Iran, the China however has urges more talks before any decision on the fourth round of UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. Experts say that Iran’s decision of 20 percent enrichment is a major step for the country's nuclear programme as 90 per cent level material is needed for a nuclear weapon. Iran however says that its enrichment programme is for peaceful purposes only.