Tehran: Iran is ready to sign the additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) allowing tougher inspections, but only on the condition that "sanctions and pressure" directed at the Islamic republic are first lifted, according to Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi.

"We are ready to sign it (NPT) if the sanctions and pressure on Iran are lifted," Kharazi said on May 30, underling the obligations of NPT signatories to aid fellow members acquiring peaceful nuclear technology.

Iran has been called upon to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect suspect sites in the country as a confidence-building measure, reports 'The News'.

It has been accused by the United States of using an atomic energy programme as a cover for illicit development of nuclear weapons, a charge Iran vigorously denies. The United States has also been pressuring Russia to end its construction of a nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Southern Iran, although Russia has so far resisted the pressure.

Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev has said the United States should join in the construction of the Bushehr plant, and that Washington is considering the proposal.

"We have made this proposal several times to our American colleagues in talks at expert level. For the moment, they are saying they have to consider," Rumyantsev said, as quoted by the ITAR-TASS news agency.

Meanwhile, a US court has declared Iran responsible for the suicide attacks in 1983 on the US troops in Beirut, a US television report said on May 31. As many as 241 US troops were killed in the Beirut suicide bombings.

The terrorist outfit Hamas was alleged to have organised suicide bombing attack by a truck with financial help of the senior officials of the Iranian government. The court called the Beirut bombings biggest ever attack on the US citizens prior to 9/11 incidents.

ANI