A senior Iranian cleric says Iran's suspension of its nuclear program is temporary.

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani told worshippers during prayers Friday, Iran could resume enriching uranium within six months.

Mr. Rafsanjani, the head of the Expediency Council, Iran's final arbiter on legislation, said Iran has the right to enrich uranium at low levels to fuel nuclear power stations.

Earlier this week, the International Atomic Energy Agency spared Iran the fate of being referred to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions after Tehran agreed to suspend its nuclear program.

The United States has accused Iran of secretly seeking to develop nuclear weapons.