Friday, June 2 2006 17:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Iran appears determined to make nuclear weapons and could develop such an arsenal as early as 2010, US National Intelligence Director John Negroponte said in an interview broadcast today (June 2, 2006).

As six world powers agreed on a breakthrough package of benefits if Tehran suspends its nuclear fuel work, which has raised fears of weapons development, Negroponte warned the country remained the main state sponsor of terrorism.

"They seem to be determined to develop nuclear weapons," he told BBC radio.

"We don't have a clear-cut knowledge but the estimate we have made is some time between the beginning of the next decade and the middle of the next decade they might be in a position to have a nuclear weapon, which is a cause of great concern," the US spy chief said.

"Such a nuclear goal was contrary to the Iran's international obligations and of course Iran is positioned in a very volotile region in the world," Negroponte said.

His comments were broadcast just hours after Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States agreed at a meeting in Vienna on a breakthrough package of benefits if Iran suspends its nuclear fuel work but threatened penalties if Tehran refuses to comply.

Referring to the agreement, Negroponte said, "We will have to wait the government of Iran's reaction to that."

But he added, "One has to recognise that they are the principal state sponsor of terrorism in the world."

The US intelligence chief said Iran's behaviour had been a cause of concern in Lebanon, Israel the Palestinian territories and Iraq.