"If the case is not closed, it intensifies the suspicion about interference of political motives and pressures within the agency. And this is what the Americans are looking for," Kharazi asserted on state television.

"To show its independence, IAEA, as a professional, technical and non-political organization, should naturally insist on its own technical criteria and principles and quickly announce the issues have been resolved, if they have been resolved," Kharazi said.

"We hope all the remaining issues are resolved with Iran's efforts and cooperation together with the IAEA's officials' efforts and there will be no reason Iran's situation becomes extraordinary in the agency. And we hope Iran's case is closed," he added.

The United States has accused Iran of wantonly flouting international calls to curb its nuclear activities, saying Tehran is engaged in a "direct challenge" to the IAEA.

Tehran says it is merely trying to generate nuclear energy and insists on its right to master the entire nuclear fuel cycle -- something that could later be transformed into a weapons programme.

The IAEA board is due to deliver its report on Iran's nuclear activities at a meeting at the UN body's Vienna headquarters starting on September 13.

WAR.WIRE