"France insists that Iran be transparent, that it halt its sensitive activities, and that Iran opens up to the International Atomic Energy Agency," Morin told reporters on the sidelines of the IDEX 2009 defence exhibition in the United Arab Emirates.

"France considers Iran's nuclear programme is a serious threat to security, not just in the region but also to the world," he added.

Morin called on Iran to enter a "constructive dialogue" with the international community to "bring major source of concern to an end."

The West believes that Tehran is trying to acquire atomic weapons but Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful civilian purposes and has refused UN Security Council calls for it to halt uranium enrichment.

Iran, OPEC's number two exporter, is expected to sign a deal within a month with French oil company Total to develop a major offshore gas field in Iran.

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