China urges Iran to suspend nuclear-related activities

Beijing, March 2: China today (Mar 2, 2006) urged Iran to suspend nuclear-related activities and cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog while pleading for a peaceful solution in the crisis over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Time is running out for a breakthrough before March 6, when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is to issue a report on Iran's nuclear activities, which Tehran says are peaceful but some others say are in pursuit of an atomic weapon.

The United States and the European Union trio of Britain, France and Germany are pressing Iran hardest on the issue.

US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said the UN Security Council should be ready to act to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons once the IAEA refers the matter to the council.

REUTERS