Iran a nuclear state now, declares Ahmadinejad

Addressing hundreds of Iranians who had gathered at the Azadi (Freedom) Square in capital Teheran on Thursday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that Iran was now a 'nuclear state' and had produced its first batch of 20 percent enriched uranium and could enrich up to 80 percent.

Slamming the West, Ahmadinejad told the rally that his country's enemies were using the nuclear issue and that of human rights to control the region.

Enriching uranium produces fuel for a nuclear power plants but can also be used to create material for atomic weapons, he said.

"Right now at Natanz Nuclear Facility, we have the capability to enrich uranium to much higher levels. It was reported that the first consignment of 20 percent enriched uranium was produced and was put at the disposal of the scientists. In the near future we will treble its production," he added.

Image: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad