Iran has approved a secret nuclear research centre to train scientists in atomic technology, a British newspaper reported on Sunday. "Intelligence officials believe that the creation of the facility is yet further evidence that Iran is involved in a clandestine programme to build nuclear weapons," The Sunday Telegraph said. Scientists would be able to take post-graduate courses in nuclear engineering and the production of nuclear materials at the new faculty, which would be attached to the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, the newspaper said, citing western intelligence sources. The allegation comes despite growing pressure on Iran from the United States and Europe to guarantee that it will not use its atomic energy programme to acquire nuclear weapons. "If the Iranians were really serious about only developing nuclear technology for peaceful means, there would be no need for a facility like this," a senior western security official told The Sunday Telegraph. "It suggests that they do not want to share their nuclear expertise with the outside world," the official said.