But for many Iranians, even those staunchly opposed to the system of clerical rule in place since the 1979 Islamic revolution, nuclear arms are a legitimate national aspiration which would boost the country's security and bargaining power.

"I hope they are building nukes," said Ali, a U.S.-educated businessman who inherited a thick Californian accent from 18 years living on the U.S. west coast.

"Look at the neighbourhood we're in. Israel's got them, Russia's got them, India and Pakistan have got them. Even Saddam (Hussein) was trying to get them. So why shouldn't Iran? We'd be crazy not to," he said.

Leyla, who studied in France and recently returned to Iran to be closer to her family, agreed.

"It would give us a stronger position at the negotiating table. People listen when you're a nuclear power," she said. Like Ali she asked that her full name not be published.

Washington, already engaged in a nuclear stand-off with North Korea, is urging the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to declare fellow "axis of evil" member Iran in breach of the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) next month.

Western diplomats fear Iran is much closer to producing fissile material for nuclear bombs than previously thought. They say Iran could cooperate with the IAEA while secretly working on a weapons programme only to pull out of the NPT when it is ready to "go nuclear".

SOPHISTICATED PLANTS

Iranian officials say a network of sophisticated facilities being built across the country, including a uranium enrichment plant equipped with hundreds of gas centrifuges, is geared to producing 6,000 MW of electricity in the next 20 years.

Washington argues the expensive nuclear programme is uneconomic for the country of 65 million people which sits atop some of the largest oil and gas reserves in the world.

U.S. officials query the need for Iran to produce its own nuclear fuel since its only atomic reactor, a 1,000 MW plant in the southwestern port city Bushehr, will be fed with enriched uranium from Russia when it comes onstream early next year.

Pro-reform President Mohammad Khatami pinned his colours firmly to the nuclear programme in February when he announced that Iran had begun mining uranium and wanted to control the entire nuclear fuel cycle as a matter of national security.

"We cannot leave our future in the hands of others who can be the target of all manner of influences," he said.

Conservatives, who have hindered Khatami's efforts to boost democracy and social freedom, also support a nuclear programme which has been an Iranian dream since the days of the U.S.-backed shah before the 1979 Islamic revolution.

"The reality is that America's double standard policy regarding countries that have nuclear power is obvious," said Amir Mohebian, editor of the conservative Resalat newspaper.

"A country like Israel which has aggressive attitudes has nuclear power but it has never been questioned or accused by America," he told Reuters.

"I do not think there is any justification for having such weapons but take note that a country which is under intense pressure would be allowed to use any tool to defend itself."