France said on Tuesday it is participating in nuclear talks between Iran and world powers in Vienna despite Tehran saying it did not want France to be part of any deal on uranium enrichment.

"It is a meeting of experts, in which we are participating," said foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero. "The discussions are continuing."

The start of the second day of talks was delayed after Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in Tehran that France was not needed at the discussions, which also involve Russia and the United States.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, which was hosting the talks, did not say why the talks had been delayed for two hours until midday (1000 GMT) even though all the delegations had gathered at the UN watchdog's headquarters.

1. link="" name="">International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)