The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, says there is no evidence that Iran will produce nuclear weapons in the near future.

According to a report from IAEA News Center released on Wednesday, ElBaradei stressed in an interview with the "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists" that there was no concrete evidence so far that Iran has an ongoing nuclear weapons program.

"But somehow, many people are talking about how Iran's nuclear program is the greatest threat to the world. In many ways, I think the threat has been hyped," he said to the specialist magazine.

He said there was concern about Iran's future nuclear intentions and the Islamic republic needed to be more transparent on this issue. "But the idea that we'll wake up tomorrow and Iran will have a nuclear weapon is an idea that isn't supported by the facts as we have seen them so far."

He also did not agree on a more severe sanction on Iran. "Sanctions are only as a last resort and sanctions that hurt innocent civilians should be avoided," he said.

According to the report, the interview was conducted in July but released late on Tuesday, ahead of the meeting on Sept. 2 of a six-party group of nations addressing the Iranian nuclear issue. The meeting will coordinate their position on the issue.

U.S. President Barack Obama has expressed his intention to have dialogue with Iran on its nuclear program. Iran has also recently expressed its willingness to enter a new round of talks.

ElBaradei will end his 12-year term at the IAEA at the end of November. Japan's Yukiya Amano is expected to be his successor.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2009)