TEHRAN, May 1 (UPI) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manushehr Mottaki offered full cooperation over Iran's nuclear program if is not referred to the U.N. Security Council.
Mottaki made the offer Monday to his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos during a telephone conversation. The pair reviewed International Atomic Energy Agency head Mohamed ElBaradei's latest report on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, according to the Iranian state news agency, IRNA.
Mottaki underscored the necessity of reviewing Iran's nuclear case within the framework of IAEA's Council of Governors and avoid politicizing the issue by referring it to the Security Council.
"In that case, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to cooperate fully with the IAEA within the framework of the agency's rules and limitations regarding possession of peaceful nuclear technology," IRNA quoted Mottaki as telling Moratinos.
IRNA said Moratinos expressed hope for settling the Iranian nuclear case through negotiations and by peaceful means.
Moratinos declared that Spain opposes any incorrect decision and supports a settlement through diplomatic means.
ElBaradei said in his last report on the Iranian nuclear case that Iran had not cooperated with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, especially regarding the deadline served to stop nuclear enrichment activities.
Iran has been accused of using its nuclear energy program to illegally build weapons, a charge Tehran denies.
