US urges Iran to abide by international laws

Iran wants to develop a peaceful nuclear programme, but Washington suspects Tehran of seeking nukes.

Iran must abide by international agreements and "come clean" with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as well as giving its full cooperation to the UN agency's nuclear inspectors, the White House has said.

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White House spokesman Scott McClellan made the plea after the Vienna-based IAEA said on Tuesday it had received a letter from Tehran saying it would resume nuclear fuel research next week.

Iran says it wants to develop a peaceful nuclear energy programme, but Washington suspects Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons.

"They made some agreements, they need to abide by those agreements and act in a good-faith way in the negotiations," McClellan told reporters at the White House.

"They need to come clean and cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"We continue to support the European Three's efforts to resolve this in a peaceful and diplomatic way," the spokesman added, referring to diplomatic efforts by Britain, France and Germany to broker a deal on the matter.

McClellan spoke after the UN nuclear watchdog agency urged Iran to "maintain its suspension of all enrichment-related activity" after receiving the letter from Tehran saying it would resume nuclear fuel research.

The IAEA said it was seeking clarification from Tehran. Iran had previously suspended its uranium enrichment activities in October 2003.