Dominique de Villepin, the prime minister of France, reacts to applause after addressing delegates at the 2005 World Summit and 60th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, September 15, 2005. Western powers appeared on Thursday to back away from an early move to refer Iran's nuclear program to the U.N. Security Council as Tehran sought to widen backing for its stance by offering to share peaceful nuclear technology with other Islamic nations. De Villepin said the three major European powers that have been negotiating with Iran on its nuclear ambitions - Britain, France and Germany - were still giving priority to talks. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine RFS/AT