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On Iran, the Director General noted that the IAEA continues to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material.

"But Iran has not provided the necessary cooperation to permit the Agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities," he added.

The cooperation needed includes full implementation of relevant resolutions of the Council and the IAEA Board of Governors, he added.

In September Mr. Amano voiced regret over Iran's decision to bar two key nuclear inspectors, saying the move hinders the Agency's investigation into the country's nuclear programme.

Iran's nuclear programme - which its officials have stated is for peaceful purposes, but some other countries contend is driven by military ambitions - has been a matter of international concern since the discovery in 2003 that the country had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years in breach of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The Council has imposed several rounds of sanctions against Iran since 2006, the most recent being in June, citing the proliferation risks posed by its nuclear programme and its continued failure to cooperate with the IAEA.