The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Rome

UN atomic chief Mohamed ElBaradei said Thursday that Iran does not currently pose an immediate threat as international tension over Tehran's nuclear programme continued to rise.

"Iran does not constitute a certain and immediate threat for the international community," ElBaradei said in an interview with Italian RAI television.

The IAEA director called for international leaders to "give peace a chance," underlining that no hidden radioactive substances or underground production sites had yet been found.

However, he admited: "Iran has not yet completely revealed all the aspects of its nuclear programme."

Once again, ElBaradei called for dialogue, underling that a calendar was in place for inspections concerning the nature of Iran's atomic programme.

"If we do not obtain satisfying results in two or three months, only then will we be able to draw negative consequences," said ElBaradei, in Italy for a general conference of the UN watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency.

Western powers are to meet in Washington on Friday to discuss a new UN Security Council sanctions resolution in the nuclear standoff and the US administration is frustrated at the lack of progress being made.

The United States and France want tougher sanctions against Iran, which has denied western allegations that it is covertly developing a nuclear weapon.