Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday that it will start producing higher-grade enriched uranium, a day after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered the production, prompting the United States to renew threats of carefully targeted sanctions.

TEHRAN, Iran - The head of the Iran's atomic agency says it will not enrich uranium to a higher level if the West provides fuel for the Tehran research reactor.

Thousands of Afghan soldiers and police will join U.S. and NATO troops in an upcoming offensive in southern Afghanistan, playing their biggest role in any joint operation of the Afghan war.