ANKARA (Pravda) -- Turkey on Saturday called on neighboring Iran to rapidly cooperate with the European Union and the UN's nuclear watchdog to overcome a crisis over the country's nuclear program.

Iran threatened on Friday to end surprise inspections and other cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency if it is referred to the UN Security Council over its nuclear program. The country's president also vowed Iran would not be intimidated by sanctions.

"We hope Iran does not take moves that would wear away its dialogue with the international community and that it rapidly enters full and transparent cooperation with the EU ... and the IAEA," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, intended only to produce electricity. Turkey, a NATO member and Iran's northwestern neighbor, has defended the country's right to develop a nuclear program for energy purposes.

Norway concerned about nuclear developments in Iran

Iran's resumption of its uranium enrichment research is a serious step in the wrong direction, the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere has said as quoted by the Norway Post.

This was further emphasized when the Iranian ambassador was summoned to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for talks last week.

Norway's view is that Iran must comply with the IAEA's demand.

Norway has actively supported the efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the dispute.

This latest development makes this more difficult, and brings the matter one step closer to the Security Council, the Norwegian foreign minister said.