Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad watches as nuclear fuel rods are unveiled at a nuclear power plant in the capital Tehran.<br/> <br />The ceremony was broadcast live on state television with the announcer praising the achievements of Iranian scientists.<br/> <br />Here we see a fuel rod lowered through the reactor pool.<br/> <br />As well as domestically-made reactor fuel, Iran announced new uranium enrichment centrifuges to replace an outdated model.<br/> <br />It is believed the aim of these announcements was to show that international sanctions are failing to prevent Iranian advances in nuclear technology.<br/> <br />Iran is determined to pursue a nuclear programme it sees as essential to the country's power, protection, and prestige.<br/> <br />This is in defiance of U.N. resolutions demanding a halt to uranium enrichment and the admittance of nuclear inspectors.<br/> <br />Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
