Powell, speaking after the release of an IAEA report that again raised questions about Tehran's program, said Washington expected opposition from some on the board, but had already begun reviewing actions the Security Council could take against Iran.

"We are looking at a range of possible actions of a political, economic, and diplomatic nature and other measures that might be taken," Powell said without elaborating.

He declined to comment specifically on the new IAEA report, released ahead of the board's September 13 meeting, but said the United States was convinced Iran was using its civilian atomic energy program to hide the development of nuclear weapons and that the matter should be sent to the United Nations.

"That will be our position going into the discussions on September 13 when the board meets," Powell told reporters on his plane, en route back from a brief visit to Panama.

"Whether there is a consensus to do that now remains to be seen, but we think we've seen enough, the world should have seen enough over the last year to come to the conclusion that it's time for it to be referred to the Security Council," he said.

Powell said US diplomats would begin lobbying IAEA members to support that position on Thursday, but allowed that some would likely argue in favor of putting off a UN referral until the board's next meeting in November.

However, he made clear that Washington would press its point hard and suggested that US patience with the board's previous reluctance to agree to a UN referral was wearing thin.

"We think there is enough now to do it, but I will have to hear what other members have to say," Powell said, adding: "This should have been referred before."

He said the United States was still seeking a diplomatic solution to its concern about Iran's alleged nuclear weapons development and noted that there were many options should the program be referred to the United Nations.

"I think there is still a diplomatic track here, hopefully a diplomatic solution, but frankly, if the international community comes together and decides that it has to be referred to the Security Council, then the next question before us is was what alternatives are available," he said.

"We are examining what alternatives might be presented to the Security Council for its consideration if there is a referral," he said.

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