Iran, under international sanctions for its nuclear enrichment program, on Tuesday launched a new uranium production facility and began operations in two uranium extraction mines, state media said.

The two mines in the city of Saghand in central Iran operate 350 meters underground, and are within 120 kilometers of the yellowcake production facility in the city of Ardakan, in Yazd province, state television said.

Yellowcake is the impure state of uranium oxide later used in enrichment facilities. (AFP)