South Africa has echoed the non-aligned movement's call to give the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) more time to investigate Iran's alleged nuclear indiscretions before implementing sanctions.

This would allow the IAEA to clarify issues pertaining to Iran's peaceful nuclear program, said Abdul Minty, South Africa's member of the nuclear watchdog, the SAPA news agency reported on Thursday.

A report by the IAEA's director general showed a continuing positive trend of cooperation and transparency by Iran, Minty was quoted as saying at the start of IAEA deliberations in Vienna.

"The report recognizes that Iran continues to act as if its Additional Protocol were in force, which is consistent with the undertaking provided by Iran to the Agency in November 2003," he said.

At the September 2005 meeting of the IAEA's 35-nation board of governors, South Africa and a significant number of other board members abstained on a resolution finding Iran in non-compliance with the IAEA statute, the SAPA said.

The IAEA board went on to chastise Iran for being in non- compliance with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, paving the way for its referral to the United Nations Security Council and the possible imposition of sanctions.

The United States and other western powers have long suspected Iran of using an atomic energy drive as a cover for weapons development.

Iran has consistently denied the charge, claiming its nuclear program is used to generate electricity.

Minty said on Thursday that South Africa had urged concerned parties to engage constructively in a dialogue that would enable negotiations to again be undertaken in good faith.

"This golden opportunity, which is within our grasp, should not be lost and it may not occur again," he said.

Source: Xinhua