Iran says it needs more time to study a proposal from the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency for a nuclear "timeout."

Under the proposal, both Iranian nuclear work and UN sanctions on Iran would be suspended.

"Iran needs time to review such an initiative to see whether it has the capacity to resolve Iran's nuclear issue," chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said January 28.

Visiting Russian Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov, who appeared with Larijani at a joint news conference in Tehran, said the "timeout" proposal from International Atomic Energy Agency head Muhammad el-Baradei should be considered by Iran's government.

El-Baradei said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week that any military action by foreign countries against Iranian nuclear sites could have disastrous consequences and called for a "timeout" so dialogue can be pursued.

The United States and Israel have not ruled out military action against Iranian nuclear sites.

PHOTO CAPTION

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani (R) shakes hands with Russia's security chief Igor Ivanov (L) during a press conference in Tehran. (AFP)