President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, prior to a meeting at the presidential palace in Tehran, 26 Feb 2008

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is praising President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his role in turning the country's nuclear program into what he calls a "great success."

In a speech broadcast by state media Tuesday Ayatollah Khamenei said the nuclear issue is one example of the Islamic Republic's advance.

He hailed Mr. Ahmadinejad's personal role in developing the nuclear program, and praised the president's resistance to international pressure to end it.

Western governments are urging Iran to stop its nuclear activities, saying Tehran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program. Iran dismisses the allegations.

On Monday in Washington, representatives from Germany and the U.N. Security Council's five permanent members United States, Britain, France, Russia and China discussed a proposal for new sanctions on Tehran.

They also discussed possible incentives for Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment program.

The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote on the sanctions soon.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.