United Nations: Iran has said it would suspend its uranium enrichment activities, sign additional protocol to the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and continue to co-operate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) even before it is ratified by its Parliament.

Tehran had announced its agreement to sign the protocol promising to meet its obligation under the Treaty, and to allow inspections by IAEA but it is the first time it announced to do so before ratification by its Parliament.

"As further confidence-building measures, for the present, Iran has voluntarily decided to suspend uranium enrichment activities, sign the additional protocol and continue to co-operate with IAEA in accordance with the protocol, pending its ratification, which will have to be done by Iranian Parliament," Iran's Ambassador to UN Javed Zarif told the General Assembly.

Zarif made the announcement on November 3 while participating on the report of IAEA in the 191- member General Assembly. He did not say when it would sign the protocol.

Iran's decision to allow inspections by IAEA and sign the protocol ended the standoff with the UN body, which cast doubts on the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme.

PTI