European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana speaks during a news conference at Pakistani Foreign Ministry in Islamabad April 22, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BRUSSELS, June 4 (Xinhua) -- European Union top diplomat Javier Solana confirmed here Wednesday that he would soon visit Iran, but expected no miracles of his trip on Iran's nuclear issue.

    "I will be going to Tehran. I have not been there since June 2006," Solana told the European Parliament.

    "I will take an upgraded offer compared to the one that we presented in 2006," he said, referring to the incentives offered by the UN Security Council's permanent members plus Germany to Iran to encourage the Islamic country to halt uranium enrichment.

    "I do not expect miracles but I think it is important for us to keep extending a hand and to make it clear that we have a dual track approach, with negotiations to solve the basic issues, in particular the nuclear issue, but at the same time, to continue using what the Security Council has to offer," he added.

    Solana said the date for his visit would probably around June 14, adding that details were not hammered out yet.

    Britain, the United States, France, China, Russia and Germany agreed weeks ago on an updated offer for Iran based on the 2006 version.

    The West believes that Iran aims at developing nuclear weapons, but Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful use.

    The Security Council has imposed three sanctions on Iran over its nuclear activities.

    Solana will take the task to present the offer to Iran on behalf of the six nations.

U.S., Israel call for more int'l pressure against Iran

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivers remarks at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington June 3, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    WASHINGTON, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Top officials of the United States and Israel Tuesday reiterated their calls for increasing international pressure on Iran.

    "Our partners in Europe and beyond need to exploit Iran's vulnerabilities more vigorously and impose greater costs on the regime economically, financially, politically and diplomatically," Rice told a policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israeli lobby group.  Full story

Iran vows to persevere on peaceful nuclear program

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks at a ceremony to mark the death anniversary of the Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini at Khomeini's shrine in southern Tehran June 3, 2008. Iran will not bow to Western pressure and stop its nuclear programme, Khamenei said on Tuesday.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    TEHRAN, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Iran vowed Tuesday to continue its nuclear program, while rejecting to pursue nuclear weapons, the state television reported.

    Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated the stance in a televised speech at a ceremony honoring Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.  Full story

Iran says IAEA report proves no deviation in nuclear program

    TEHRAN, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Iran said on Sunday that the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) proved that there is no deviation in Iran's nuclear program from civilian purpose, the official IRNA news agency reported.

    The report, which was prepared by IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, also indicated that all Iranian sites have been under the IAEA full supervision, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said.

    "The report also said that all the agency's findings are in full conformity with Iran's nuclear activities" at the enrichment facilities in Natanz, central Iran, he said.  Full story

Iran continues to cooperate with IAEA as other members

    TEHRAN, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Wednesday that Tehran continues its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) just like other members, Iran's Press TV satellite channel reported.

    "Iran is continuing its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, as a signatory to the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, just like an ordinary IAEA member," Mottaki was quoted as saying after a cabinet meeting. Full story

Iran warns against West's "deception" on nuclear issue

    TEHRAN, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran's new parliament speaker Ali Larijani said on Wednesday that Western powers should not practice any "deception" over its nuclear issue, warning that Tehran could impose new limits on its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

    "The West must stop its secretive diplomatic scheme of passing Iran's nuclear case back and forth between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Group of 5+1," state radio quoted Larijani's address at the parliament as saying.  Full story