The UN's former chief weapons inspector Hans Blix has said that there will continue to be tensions between Iran and the international community as long as Tehran continues to pursue a uranium enrichment programme.

Speaking to the BBC Mr Blix also said that it was "very positive" that Russia was operating a nuclear power plant in southern Iran, as it sent a message to Tehran that it could rely on an international market for its nuclear fuel needs.

His comments came as Iran began loading fuel into the Bushehr reactor, its first nuclear power station, in a ceremony attended by Russian officials.