French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Friday called for stronger sanctions against Iran following a report by the UN nuclear watchdog showing Tehran ramping up its controversial uranium enrichment programme.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Thursday that Iran had doubled the number of centrifuges for enriching uranium at its underground Fordo facility since May.

The report also expressed concern over Tehran's apparent efforts to clean up and partially cover the Parchin military site, where nuclear warhead parts were allegedly exploded.

"Iran hasn't budged from its position. We need to strengthen sanctions and, at the same time, Iran must make a gesture," Fabius told Europe 1 radio.

The West suspects Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons.

The United Nations, United States and European Union have passed several rounds of sanctions against Iran over its refusal to halt its nuclear enrichment activities.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for atomic energy and science purposes only.

       
- Sapa-dpa