Pressing Iran on nuclear issue not solution-China

HELSINKI, Sep 9 (Reuters) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today said that putting sanctions or pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme was ''not necessarily'' a peaceful solution to the issue.

But speaking after a China-EU summit, he reiterated his government's call for Iran to ''take seriously'' international concerns over the programme.

Wen's remarks came as Washington is pressing the UN Security Council to discuss Iran's nuclear programme and draft a resolution authorising sanctions against Tehran for failing to heed an August.

31 deadline to halt enriching uranium.

Iran insists it only wants nuclear-generated electricity. Western powers suspect it wants the ability to make nuclear weapons. UN nuclear watchdog probes have raised many questions but no proof of diversions into weapons.

REUTERS SBA PM2116