(New York, NY) -- The head of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran's nuclear program is meant to bring both power and prestige to that nation.

During a forum on nuclear disarmament at the Council on Foreign Relations, Mohamed ElBaradei said Iran "would like to see the U.S. engaging them." The IAEA chief calls Tehran's nuclear program a "means to an end" and says the country "wants to be recognized as a regional power." While Western nations have claimed Iran's nuclear program is aimed at development of nuclear weapons, that nation has said it is only intended to generate electricity.

ElBaradei said there is "no concrete evidence" Tehran is pursuing atomic weapons.

ElBaradei only had one comment about a draft nuclear fuel deal involving Iran, the U.S., Russia and France that calls on Iran to transfer uranium to other countries so it can be turned into medical isotopes.

He called the proposal a "unique opportunity" for Iran and the United States to move beyond decades of tension and animosity.

　

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