Medvedev gives Iran warning

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said yesterday he was alarmed by United States assertions that Iran may have enough fuel for two nuclear weapons and warned that if confirmed the Islamic Republic may face new measures.

CIA director Leon Panetta told ABC's This Week that the agency thinks Iran has enough low-enriched uranium now for two weapons, but that Tehran would have to further enrich the material first.

"Such information is always alarming because today the international community does not recognise the Iranian nuclear programme as transparent," Medvedev said.

Russian leaders rarely comment on CIA statements and Medvedev's sharp comments indicate the gulf has grown between Moscow and Tehran.