Iranian Spokesman: Tehran Working To Get US Visa for Iranian President

An Iranian official says his government is working to get a U.S. visa for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad so he can address the U.N. Security Council.

The official told reporters in Tehran Tuesday that Iran's foreign ministry is working on the visa but the trip depends on when the Security Council will meet.

Mr. Ahmadinejad has said he wants to explain Iran's nuclear program to the Security Council.

The five permanent members of the council plus Germany are working on a new U.N. resolution that would impose more sanctions on Iran for its controversial program.

U.N. diplomats say the six world powers have made progress on a new resolution.

On Monday, a State Department spokesman said he doubts Mr. Ahmadinejad's appearance before the council would serve a positive purpose.

The United States and its allies suspect Iran is working to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.

一位伊朗官员说，政府正在设法为艾哈迈迪内贾德总统申请赴美签证，以便让他在联合国安理会上发言。

这名官员星期二在德黑兰告诉记者说，伊朗外交部正在办理签证手续，但是这一行程将取决于联合国安理会什么时候开会。

艾哈迈迪内贾德表示，他希望向安理会解释伊朗的核计划。

联合国安理会的5个常任理事国以及德国正在制定一项新的联合国决议，就伊朗有争议的核项目对伊朗施加更多的制裁。

联合国外交官说，这6个世界大国在新决议的问题上已经取得了进展。

美国国务院发言人星期一表示，他对艾哈迈迪内贾德在安理会上露面是否有正面效果表示怀疑。

美国及其盟国怀疑伊朗正在发展核武器，但是德黑兰予以否认。