IRNA, quoting a foreign ministry press release, said Kharazi would "discuss nuclear issues and the latest regional and international developments, particularly the critical situation in Iraq and (his visit was) in response to the visit to Tehran of his Italian counterpart," on January 27, 2004.

Kharazi has been seeking support for Iran's case ahead of a June meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors' meeting in June, and has recently met the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany.

The United States is particularly suspicious of Iran's nuclear programme, suspecting it of wanting to produce nuclear weapons, despite Tehran's insistence that its programme is for peaceful use only.

Earlier this month, during a visit by IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei, Iran promised to intensify its cooperation with the IAEA and rapidly answer outstanding questions in order to resolve doubts on its nuclear programme.

WAR.WIRE