UK says still seeks negotiated solution on Iran

LONDON, Sep 1 (Reuters) Britain said today it still wanted a negotiated solution with Iran despite Tehran's defiance of a UN deadline to stop work that the West fears could lead to making a nuclear bomb.

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog said yesterday that Tehran had failed to meet a Security Council deadline to halt uranium enrichment.

The West accuses Iran of seeking to build atomic bombs, a charge Iran denies, saying its aim is to produce electricity.

''We will be consulting our international partners on next steps, which will require further action by the Security Council,'' British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said in a statement.

She expected an early meeting of officials from Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States to discuss the next steps.

''Our goal remains a negotiated solution on the basis of the (six powers') far-reaching proposals of June,'' she said, referring to the major powers' offer of broad cooperation if Tehran halted uranium enrichment.

''I regret that Iran has not taken the steps required by the Security Council. I urge Iran once again to do so, which would allow negotiations to resume,'' she said.

REUTERS BDP PC1845