TEHRAN - Iran wants a world "free of nuclear weapons", the foreign ministry spokesman said Monday, in the Islamic republic's first reaction to North Korea's announcement of an atomic weapons test.
"Iran's position is clear and Iran on principle believes in a world free of nuclear weapons," Mohammad Ali Hosseini was quoted as saying by a state television anchor.
"Iran is hopeful that negotiations on North Korea's nuclear activities can go ahead in the interest of both North Korea and the international community," he added.
The announcement of the nuclear test by North Korea came as world powers are set to discuss sanctions against Iran over its own nuclear programme after it failed to suspend sensitive uranium enrichment work.
Iran has always vehemently denied US allegations it is itself seeking nuclear weapons, saying the pursuit of such arms goes against Islam.
10/09/2006 11:03 GMT