The International Atomic Energy Agency has called an emergency session February second, to hear the European case for referring Iran and its suspect nuclear program to the United Nations Security Council.

The Security Council can impose sanctions, if it finds Iran has violated international treaties with its nuclear program.

The Europeans called for the IAEA session after Tehran broke a two-year moratorium on nuclear research earlier this month. The United States has accused Iran of using its research to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear intentions are peaceful.

Earlier Wednesday, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran is not seeking a nuclear arsenal.

He said the pursuit of nuclear weaponry violates Islamic teachings and threatens the country's political and economic interests. He also said Western governments "cannot influence the Iranian nation's will."

Meanwhile, the White House says President Bush spoke Wednesday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about Iran's nuclear ambitions.

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