US accuses Iran over N. Korean missile tests

Iran accused the United States yesterday of trying to obstruct talks to end a standoff over Tehran's nuclear programme, while Washington said its fears had risen because Iranians had witnessed North Korean missile tests.

Both sides traded the accusations as the UN Security Council wrangled over a resolution to make legally binding demands Iran halt uranium enrichment, a process that can produce fuel for power stations or bomb material. Iran again rejected international calls for it to scrap nuclear fuel production. A senior US official yesterday said US worries about Iran's nuclear capabilities had deepened because one or more Iranians witnessed missile tests on July 4 in North Korea, which experts say is a key partner in Tehran's missile programme.

Washington, which has accused Iran of having a secret programme to build nuclear arms, says the two nations have been collaborating and has expressed concern cash-strapped Pyongyang was keen to sell missiles and possibly also atomic material. Asked at a US Senate hearing about reports Iranians witnessed the North Korean tests, US Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill said: "Yes, that is my understanding." It was "absolutely correct" the relationship was worrisome, he said.

Experts say Iran's Shahab 3 missile has a range of 2,000 km and is based on a North Korean design.

No Iranian comment was immediately available on Mr Hill's statement. Iran has denied the US charges it has a secret nuclear arms programme, saying it is solely for electricity.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said Tehran was still reviewing proposals backed by six leading world powers to end the standoff and wanted talks to solve the dispute.

"(But the United States) has been trying to create obstacles in the way of talks and a diplomatic solution to this issue," he was quoted as saying in a statement by Iranian state television.