UK's Blair says Iran sending mixed nuclear signals

LONDON, Feb 21 (Reuters) British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today that Iran appeared bent on developing nuclear weapons despite sending out contradictory signals.

''The statements emanating from Iran are contradictory, but as the words yesterday of the head of the IAEA indicate, their nuclear weapons ambitions appear to continue,'' Blair told parliament.

Iran vowed today to press on with its nuclear fuel programme, ignoring a United Nations deadline to halt uranium enrichment or face broader sanctions, but offered to guarantee it would not try to develop atomic weapons.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has been unable to verify Iran's programme is wholly peaceful after three years of investigations, is expected to report to the UN Security Council by tomorrow that Tehran is pursuing enrichment regardless of pressure to stop.

The West suspects Iran is trying to make atom bombs behind the facade of a civilian nuclear energy programme but may face difficulty in maintaining unanimous support for stronger sanctions at the UN Security Council.

''We will be trying to get a strong united European position, and I think it's very clear that as a result of the measures that have been taken -- the financial sanctions, the sending of the (US) warship -- there has been a change (in Iran's attitudes),'' Blair said.

''But we need to keep up the pressure because it's a very very dangerous situation.'' REUTERS PDM HS1913