Iran Blames U.S. For N. Korea Nukes

Iran took a tough line on its nuclear program Tuesday, blaming Washington for North Korea's reported test blast and vowing to keep developing its own suspect atomic program.

Iran appeared emboldened by North Korea's defiance as its hard-line Islamic leaders pledged not to bow to international demands that Tehran suspend uranium enrichment.

"The Iranian nation will continue its path of dignity based on resistance, wisdom and without fear," President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying on state-run television.

Iran also stood apart Tuesday from the widespread international condemnation of North Korea.

Government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham told reporters that Iran opposed "any use of weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons." But he did not criticize North Korea and instead faulted the United States for the test.

"The root cause of this should be sought in the policy, behavior and method adopted by the rulers of the United States," Elham said.

The U.N. Security Council has demanded Iran suspend uranium enrichment because of suspicions Tehran is trying to develop atomic weapons in violation of its treaty commitments. Iran ignored the council's Aug. 31 deadline despite a threat of sanctions.

Though the Security Council is giving precedence to considering sanctions against North Korea, a State Department spokesman said Tuesday that senior officials of the United States and five other countries planned to confer by video Wednesday on possible U.N. sanctions against Iran.

"With both Iran and North Korea on the agenda on Wednesday, the ability of the Security Council to pressure both nations to get back to negotiations and halt their nuclear programs is being seen as a test of the U.N. to keep a nuclear weapons race from spiraling out of control," said .

Enriched uranium is a key component for nuclear bombs. But it also can be used to fuel nuclear reactors that generate electricity, and oil-rich Iran insists that is the sole goal of their program.

Israel is deeply concerned about North Korea's nuclear test, fearing the nuclear threat could quickly spread to the Middle East, reports .

Officials say North Korea's nuclear test could encourage Iran's nuclear program, which Israel sees an existential threat to the Jewish state.

"Nuclear capability in the hands of irresponsible, undemocratic regimes is a world problem," said Miri Eisin, spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

"North Korea has sent technology and even technicians to Iran, to help develop both its missile program and its nuclear program. Any progress in North Korea means progress for Iran," said Israeli analyst Cameron Brown.

Israeli officials said Tuesday they feared the North Korean test would set a dangerous precedent and the communist country would transfer materials and technology for the development of nuclear weapons to Iran, whose president has said the Jewish state should be wiped off the map.

Iran has long refused to comment on its close relationship with North Korea. Western intelligence agencies have reported that Iran's Shahab-3 missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, is based on a North Korean rocket. But Iran denies this.

Many Iranian newspapers voiced sympathy Tuesday for the North Korean regime. The hardline Resalat newspaper said in an editorial that Washington's "expansionist policies make the world such a dangerous place, it is to be expected that countries seek such weapons as a deterrence."

But the moderate independent newspaper Hambastegi criticized North Korea. The paper ran a cartoon showing that country's leader, Kim Jong Il, holding a bomb in one hand and saying to the world: "Why can't we be friends? Give me your wallet."

Amir Rafati, who writes for the financial paper Jahan-e-Eghtesad, said North Korea's test was "both a chance and a threat for Iran."

"It is a chance because it will reduce the pressure on Iran," Rafati told The Associated Press. "It is a threat because it may make things worse for Iran in the long run."

Feelings about North Korea were mixed in the streets of Iran's capital, Tehran.

"I think this nuclear test could be a very good example for Iranian people to see that despite pressure from America, wide sanctions and several problems, North Korea tried and was successful," said Reza Tavassoli, a government employee.

But university student Arash Navidkia condemned the communist nation. "North Korea's nuclear tests are a big danger to the entire world, to global peace and security. No country should do such tests," he said.