Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, is visiting Madrid for another round of talks on his country's nuclear programme. He is scheduled to meet the EU Foreign Policy Chief, Javier Solana, later on Thursday.

Mr Larijani told reporters that Iran will not halt uranium enrichment, a move demanded by the UN. He said that suspension is not a solution to Iran's nuclear row but stressed that Tehran is ready for constructive talks to eliminate concerns over its atomic issue.

Previous meetings have failed to resolve Iran's stand-off with some Western countries that fear its nuclear ambitions may be not for peaceful purposes.

The UN Security Council has imposed two sets of sanctions on the Islamic country since December for its refusal to stop enriching uranium.

Meanwhile, Tehran insists its programme is aimed at generating electricity.