WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Tuesday reiterated that the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should refer Iran's nuclear issue to the UN Security Council when the board meets nextweek in Vienna.

    "Time is passing, and this is a matter that should go to the Security Council as quickly as possible," he said.

    Commenting on media reports that Iran has offered to stop some suspect nuclear activity, Powell said: "I'd be more interested in seeing Iranian action to stop the steps that they are now embarking upon with respect to the production of materials that, in our judgment, leads to nuclear weapons."

    On Sept. 1, Powell said the Bush administration would push the IAEA to refer Iran's nuclear issue to the UN Security Council for the sanctions when the IAEA holds its board meeting on Sept. 13.

    The US wanted the UN Security Council to impose economic and political sanctions against Iran as the Middle East country was believed to be on the verge of enriching enough uranium for makingfour nuclear weapons, he told reporters.

    Iran always denies the US charge, saying it is only interested in generating electricity.

    It was reported that Iran has agreed in principle to renew a freeze of some sensitive nuclear activities in a move apparently aimed at easing pressure ahead of a UN nuclear watchdog meeting next week. Enditem