Iran open to UN nuclear meeting

Updated 22.25 Sun Mar 11 2007

Keywords: security council, un, nuclear, iran, mahmoud ahmadinejad

Iran's president wants to brief the UN on his controversial nuclear security plans.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would address the UN Security Council on what the West claims is a secret nuclear weapons programme, according to state TV.

"The president of Iran plans to ... defend the right of the Iranian nation to use peaceful nuclear technology" - Gholamhossein Elham, Iranian government spokesman

The "offer" comes as the five permanent members of the Security Council - the US, France, Britain, China and Russia - and Germany consider imposing new sanctions on Iran.

Iran, the world's fourth-biggest oil exporter, insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and designed to generate electricity.

Gholamhossein Elham, a government spokesman, said: "The president of Iran plans to speak in a possible meeting of the Security Council on Iran's nuclear programme to defend the right of the Iranian nation to use peaceful nuclear technology."

The Security Council imposed limited sanctions in December, including barring the transfer of sensitive nuclear technology.

It threatened further steps if Iran ignored its February 21 deadline to suspend enrichment.

Both China and Russia have objected to the idea of financial sanctions against Iran during talks among the six powers.