PARIS: The United States and France are vowing to push for fresh United Nations sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

Iran has announced it is going to enrich uranium to a higher level, which in theory means it is moving closer to being able to produce nuclear weapons.

Western nations have condemned the move, although Iran says it is meant only to provide fuel for its research reactor.

After talks between the US and France, the two countries have announced they will pursue new sanctions against Iran in the UN Security Council.

Iran has defied five UN Security Council resolutions and several sets of UN sanctions aimed at freezing its nuclear program.