The US refused on Monday to provide security guarantees for Iran to make sure the country does not develop nuclear weapons.

"Before anybody asks the US to do something, it's up to Iran to answer the questions, act like a responsible member of the international community, and stop violating its agreements with the EU-3 and others," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said at a briefing in Washington D.C.

All dealings with Iran should focus on "a consistent and established pattern of Iranian misbehavior and Iranian violation of its commitments and Iranian deception," Ereli said.

But Ereli said the US supports the diplomatic efforts by the EU trio of Britain, France and Germany to head off Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Ereli's remarks followed a suggestion by Mohamed Elbaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who said on Monday in Stockholm that he believed that the US would have to give Iran security guarantee before a final agreement could be reached on Iran's atomic programs.

The US has accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear programs and has not ruled out the possibility of launching military attacks against the country.

Iran's talks with the EU have been stalled after Iran announced its decision to resume uranium conversion activities recently.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2005)