Iran backs Syria at nuclear body

Mr Soltanieh said Iran's withdrawal would ease the way for Syria

An Iranian envoy says Tehran has dropped its bid for a seat on the board of the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA.

Ali Asghar Soltanieh said Iran wanted to make way for its regional ally Syria to become a board member instead.

Iran and Syria have both been accused by some countries of engaging in clandestine nuclear activity.

Iran says it will continue enriching uranium, which it says is for civilian purposes only, despite the latest UN resolution calling on it to stop.

"The Islamic Republic has officially refrained from pursuing its right to be nominated to the board to pave the way for the membership of Syria," Mr Soltanieh said in remarks carried by the state-run al-Alam website.

The International Atomic Energy Agency board comprises of 35 members elected annually by the body's highest policy-making body, the General Conference of all member states.

Syria and Iran had both been competing for the seat reserved for a Middle Eastern and South Asian country.

US allegations