Bernard Kouchner (May 2007 photo)

Iran has summoned a top French diplomat to protest remarks by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who said world powers should prepare for a possible war over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Iranian state media say France's charge d'affaires in Tehran was summoned Wednesday to Iran's Foreign Ministry.

Kouchner said last month that the world must prepare for the worst if the issues with Iran's nuclear program remained unresolved, adding that "the worst is war."  He said he does not believe war is imminent.

Kouchner later said his words were taken out of context and that he favors a peaceful resolution to the impasse with Tehran. 

Last week, France and five other world powers agreed to wait until November to decide whether to push for a third round of U.N. sanctions against Iran.

The United States and its allies accuse Iran of trying to build atomic weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program.  Iran denies the charge.

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