"They should know that the Iranian nation has taken its decision and that the supreme leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) is firmly behind the notion of acquiring nuclear technology," said Ayatollah Ahmad Janati.

As chairman of the Council of Guardians, Janati oversees the vetting of all legislation and candidates for public office here and is appointed directly by Khamenei.

He was speaking at the main weekly Muslim prayers in Tehran, which are broadcast live by state television.

His comments came just three days before the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency is due to discuss US calls for Iran's nuclear programme to be referred to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.

Washington charges that Iran's diclosed civil programme is a cover for a covert bid to develop an atomic bomb, an accusation Tehran vigorously denies.

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