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CIA report rejected Iran hints US trying to influence in elections

TEHRAN: Iran on Thursday rejected a CIA report that Tehran tried to buy technology last year to develop weapons of mass destruction and hinted Washington was trying to influence key elections later this month.

"They accuse us but never have any proof," Defence Ministry spokesman Keyvan Khosravi said, quoted by the official IRNA news agency.

"The US authorities and the Zionist-dependent media are trying to misrepresent the peaceful intentions of the Islamic republic," he said.

"What we need to clear up is why they are repeating these allegations just before the elections".

Iranians go to the polls on February 18 to elect a new parliament in what is being seen as a critical test of President Mohammad Khatami's reforms.

"Our people, God willing, will respond to these accusations," Khosravi said.

The CIA said in a report to the US Congress on Wednesday that Iran actively sought technology and equipment for weapons of mass destruction programmes last year from suppliers in Russia, China, North Korea and western Europe.

"Tehran is attempting to develop an indigenous capability to produce various types of weapons Ñ nuclear, chemical and biological Ñ and their delivery system," the report said.

Iran has repeatedly insisted its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only. AFP