United Nations Secretary-General urged the US and its European allies to delay pursuit of tougher sanctions on Iran.
United Nations` Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the US and its allies to reconsider plans for more sanctions against Iran.

According to Bloomberg News Network on Thursday, Ban Ki-moon said the Security Council should let the IAEA to find a solution to resolve Iran`s nuclear standoff.

“This must be resolved through political negotiations, through dialogue,`` he said.

"When IAEA Director General Mohammad ElBaradei says he has a plan of action and dialogue, I support that kind of initiative," the UN Secretary General added.

The US, Britain, France and Germany have started negotiations on a draft resolution that would tighten existing sanctions on Iran, while Russia and China are against another set of penalties.

UN sanctions already have asked countries to limit arms sales to Iran and to stop the sale of sensitive nuclear equipment.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is planning to use nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels to meet its expanding energy demands.

The West has been accusing Iran of running a clandestine program to develop nuclear weapons, an allegation that Tehran dismisses.