Iranian officials said separately that the nuclear programme was moving ahead as scheduled and that the country would not suspend uranium enrichment despite the threat of a third set of UN sanctions. The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to present its latest report on Iran's nuclear programme to the UN Security Council in coming days.

Arab countries should value Iran's nuclear development because it could help them address their own energy needs, said Mohammed JA Larijani, a former deputy foreign minister and brother of Iran's chief nuclear negotiator.