Tehran: Iran on June 2 rejected international calls for it to sign an additional protocol of the Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that would allow tougher inspections of its nuclear programme, a foreign news agency reported.

The refusal came after Russia, which is helping Iran build its first atomic power plant in Bushehr in Southern Iran, joined calls for Tehran to allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to have access to suspect facilities.

If the Russians are worried, Iran is ready to discuss the matter with them, an official spokesman said.

"The question of sanctions has to be resolved first. We will not sign any other international accord while the West does not respect its obligations outlined by the NPT, and does not help us with (peaceful) nuclear technology as the NPT obliges them to," he added.

Iran, a signatory of the NPT, is currently only subject to IAEA inspections of declared sites. ANI