BBC: Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi has called on Iran to suspend its controversial nuclear work to avert what she says is a mounting threat of war with the US.
"Using nuclear energy is every nation's right, but we have obvious other rights including security, peace and welfare," she told a press conference.
Iranian lawyer and human rights activist Ms Ebadi won the Nobel peace prize in 2003.
Criticism of Iran's nuclear policy is rare in the Islamic Republic.
Correspondents say Ms Ebadi's comments represent an unusually explicit condemnation of the government's entrenched policy at a time of mounting tension with western powers.
"We can hear the evil sounds of war drums, however far away.
We don't like it but there is probability of war," she said.
"In the past 30 years there has been a revolution and eight years of war. People are tired and want peace and quiet to lead their lives." Iran nuclear work 'not worth war' (more)
Mark Alexander
