Nuclear attack on Iran 'unlikely' says Clark

Prime Minister Helen Clark is sceptical about reports that the United States is contemplating a nuclear strike against Iran.

The Herald reported yesterday that investigative writer Seymour Hersh believes the Bush Administration is studying options for military strikes, including a nuclear strike against Iran's underground nuclear facilities.

Helen Clark said her advice was that such an attack was unlikely and pointed to British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw describing the claims as "completely nuts".

She said that as a member of the United Nations, New Zealand would take part in any sanctions against Iran that it authorised, but she hoped Iran would accept its international obligations.

The UN Security Council has demanded Iran suspend its uranium enrichment programme.

But the Islamic republic has so far refused, saying the small-scale enrichment project is strictly for research and not for development of nuclear weapons.