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    TEHRAN, Jan. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki voiced optimism on Wednesday that the country's nuclear file was unlikely to be referred to the United Nations Security Council, the official IRNA news agency reported.

    "Taking into account the current situation, we think the possibility is slight for Iran's case to be sent to the UN Security Council," Mottaki was quoted as saying.

    However, Mottaki also warned the European Union (EU) not to seek the referral, terming it as a hasty decision which would complicate the situation.

    Meanwhile, Mottaki's deputy Mehdi Mostafavi, who is on an official visit to South Africa to seek support over the nuclear issue, urged the EU in an exclusive interview with IRNA to continue and accelerate negotiations in order to reach a compromise and remove misunderstandings.

    "Iran will continue its close cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European states," Mostafavi said in Johannesburg, adding "no change has been made in Iran's stance on its nuclear program which is for peaceful purposes."

    On Jan. 10, Iran resumed its nuclear research work regardless of warnings and dissuasions of the EU and the United States.

    In response, the European trio of Britain, France and Germany,which have been negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program on behalf of the bloc, has recently called for an emergency meeting of the IAEA board of governors in early February to refer Iran's nuclear file to the UN Security Council.

    The trio has also cancelled a round of negotiations with Iran previously scheduled on Wednesday.

    On Tuesday, Javad Vaeedi, deputy head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, called on the EU to resume the bilateral talks, but Britain termed the offer as "vacuous", saying that it was clear that the EU "needs to engage the Security Council."

    Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Monday against "hasty decisions" on the Iranian nuclear issue.Iran has said repeatedly that it was not scared about the referral, vowing not to give up its legal rights to peaceful nuclear use.

    The United States accuses Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons, a charge rejected by Iran as politically motivated.Enditem