The official IRNA news agency said the plan was approved during a cabinet meeting headed by hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Absolutely no further details were given.

Iran has already announced plans to build 20 nuclear power plants to produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity within the next 20 years, and officials have said they would soon open an international tender for two of them.

Iran insists it needs nuclear energy to meet the increased energy needs of a booming population, and boost its oil and gas export by reducing domestic fossil fuel consumption.

Iran's first nuclear plant is currently under construction near the southern city of Bushehr. Iran is dependent on Russia for plant construction and fuel.

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