Two technicians carry box containing uranium ore concentrate, known as yellowcake, at the Uranium Conversion Facility of Iran, just outside the city of Isfahan (file photo)

Iran says it has started processing a new batch of uranium at its Isfahan nuclear plant.

The Mehr news agency quotes Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani Friday as saying Tehran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, of its intentions to process the uranium. He did not say when the processing began.

The announcement came as European and U.S. officials prepared to meet Friday in London to discuss nuclear activities in Iran.

U.S. officials accuse Iran of secretly trying to build a nuclear weapon, which Iran denies.

The U.N. nuclear agency is to meet next week to discuss referring Iran to the Security Council for possible sanctions.