Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad watches as nuclear fuel rods are unveiled at a nuclear power plant in the capital Tehran.

The ceremony was broadcast live on state television with the announcer praising the achievements of Iranian scientists.

Here we see a fuel rod lowered through the reactor pool.

As well as domestically-made reactor fuel, Iran announced new uranium enrichment centrifuges to replace an outdated model.

It is believed the aim of these announcements was to show that international sanctions are failing to prevent Iranian advances in nuclear technology.

Iran is determined to pursue a nuclear programme it sees as essential to the country's power, protection, and prestige.

This is in defiance of U.N. resolutions demanding a halt to uranium enrichment and the admittance of nuclear inspectors.

Nick Rowlands, Reuters.