NICOSIA [MENL] -- South Africa has offered to be a supplier of nuclear material and technology to Iran.

Iranian officials said Pretoria has offered to transfer material and technology to help Teheran's nuclear program. They said the South African offer would be restricted to activities permitted by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"We are in the process of negotiating on the modalities of this participation," Javad Vaidi, an official from Iran 's Supreme National Security Council, said.

On Nov. 5, Iran approved a resolution that would enable foreign companies to participate in the nation's uranium enrichment program. The resolution, which requires parliamentary approval, would allow the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization to invite domestic and foreign investors to the Natanz enrichment facility.