The head of the world's atomic watchdog told Iran today that it has a month to co-operate with the international community over its nuclear programme before facing action at the UN Security Council

At a meeting today of world powers at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Mohamed ElBaradei, the agency chief, said there was one last "window of opportunity" for Iran to co-operate. "We are reaching a critical phase but it is not a crisis," Dr ElBaradei told reporters.

On Monday, diplomats from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, UK, France, Russia and China - agreed that Iran must stop enriching uranium and allow UN inspectors into its nuclear sites or be referred to the UN Security Council.

The countries agreed that Iran would be referred once the IAEA has completed its next report on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme. The next IAEA report is expected in March.

Today, a draft resolution based on the plan was circulated among the 35 board members of the IAEA. The motion is expected to be passed with a wide majority because it has the support of Russia and China, which until now have opposed taking action against Iran.

"We do not object against informing the Security Council," said Grigory Berdennikov, Russia’s chief IAEA delegate, outside the meeting today. "We consider that the board is sending Iran a serious signal."

Inside the meeting, Gregory Schulte, America's leading delegate also called for referral: "It is time to send a clear and unequivocal message to the Iranian regime about the concerns of the international community by reporting this issue to the Security Council," he said.

The US and the E3 group of Britain, France and Germany, which have negotiated with Iran on behalf of the EU, have studied Iran's nuclear programme for three years before moving report Tehran to the UN.

Relations have steadily worsened since the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the Iranian presidency last summer. Mr Ahmadinejad has alarmed the West by questioning the Holocaust and Israel's right to exist. In January, he oversaw the re-starting of Iran's uranium enrichment plant.

Dr ElBaradei said today that the current timetable of action still allowed Iran time to co-operate: "There is a window of opportunity," he said. "We still have a month... I hope that Iran will continue to co-operate. I have been told it is willing."

Dr ElBaradei's optimism stood in contrast to a week of sharply escalating rhetoric, during which President Bush and Mr Ahmadinejad traded opposing views on Iran's intention to split the atom.

Tehran insists it wants nuclear energy for peaceful means, Mr Bush says Mr Ahmadinejad must not be allowed the technology to build a nuclear weapon.

In his State of the Union address on Monday night, the US President addressed Iran directly, saying the country was "now held hostage by a small clerical elite that is isolating and repressing its people".

In response, Mr Ahmadinejad held a rally at his country's one nuclear reactor at Bushehr, and called Mr Bush a criminal. "I am telling those fake superpowers that the Iranian nation became independent 27 years ago and on the nuclear case it will resist until fully achieving its rights," he said.

"Our nation cannot step back because of the bullying policies of some countries. Those whose arms are stained up to the elbow with the blood of other nations are now accusing us of violating human rights and freedoms."

Thousands of supporters responded with shouts of "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!"

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