Khatami made the announcement at a joint press conference with his Sudanese counterpart Omar el-Bashir in the last day of histhree-day visit to Sudan.

"We will continue the cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but we have to maintain our right to obtain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without being subject to any conspiracies or pressures," said Khatami.

As an IAEA member, Iran has the right to use particular technologies related to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the president noted, indicating that Iran has worked out a program for nuclear electricity production.

"We think that matters related to this issue either have been or due to be resolved," he added, stressing that the report of IAEA chief Mohamed El-Baradae had confirmed progress in this file.

On Iraq, Khatami called for free and fair elections held as soon as possible.

He said that security and stability in Iraq is important for its neighbors, noting that Iran and the other neighbors of Iraq are ready to help the interim Iraqi government to restore peace there "without intervening its internal affairs".

For his part, Sudan's Bashir described Khatami's visit as very important since it comes at a time when Sudan is in need of support in political, economic, diplomatic and information fields in order to solve the Darfur crisis.

He said the visit falls within the framework of ongoing consultation between Tehran and Khartoum on bilateral, regional and international issues.