Iran constructs nuclear power plant

Iran says it has started construction of its own nuclear power plant. The statement comes as United Nations Security Council members consider increasing sanctions against Tehran for extending its nuclear programme.

Also, Iran has held air defense exercises over its nuclear centre in Isfahan, in anticipation of possible US and Israeli strikes. The White House, however, has denied accusations it may attack Iran but US Vice President Dick Cheney insists all options to resolve the Iranian nuclear dispute should stay on the table.

Meanwhile, China has called on Iran to step up its co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Dialogue and negotiation was the call out of Beijing as Foreign Minister Li Zhao Xing reiterated China's line on how to tackle the Iranian standoff.

Following Tehran’s continued refusal to suspend uranium enrichment the West fears nuclear weapons and wants action. China, however, strives to avoid any disciplinary measures against Iran.

Beijing is facing pressure from Washington and other Western capitals to back a stronger UN Security Council resolution against Iran.

The situation was further ignited on Monday when the IAEA Chief, Mohamed El Baradei, stated that doubts would persist over the Iranian agenda until Tehran decides to co-operate with his experts.

Continued efforts to find a solution are rebounding around the globe.

While the statements were coming out of Beijing, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and the U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, conferred by phone to discuss the situation.

Security Council members are yet again preparing a new resolution to punish the Persian state. Meanwhile Iran continues to insist it has the right to enrich uranium.

The Iranian Foreign Minister took the chance to bang home the Persian state’s standpoint.

“We believe that the best solution to Iran's nuclear standoff is a comprehensive solution which can be achieved through negotiations of different viewpoints and not by imposing only one point of view,” said Manouchehr Mottaki, Iranian Foreign Minister.

Iran continually says that it only wants to generate electricity. But with the situation continually finding new ways to ignite itself, the world waits and debates where the situation can go from here.