Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi says the heads of the G8 states will discuss possible sanctions against Iran in their upcoming meeting.

Berlusconi said the violence that followed Iran's presidential election will be at the top of the agenda during the July 8-10 summit, which will be attended by the US President Barack Obama and other leaders of the Group of Eight industrialized countries.

"I believe we will go in that direction," he said in a Monday press conference when asked about whether new sanctions against Tehran would be discussed.

Although Italy is Iran's leading European trading partner, it has ignored Tehran's warnings against interfering in, and commenting on the country's recent post-election events.

During last week's summit of G8 foreign ministers, Rome took a strong stance against Iran, calling for the government in Tehran to be condemned over the post election events - which Tehran mostly blames on the UK and Israel.

The Iranian government has evidence linking the main elements behind the recent incidents to foreign countries. As a result, Tehran arrested a number of local staffers at the British Embassy.

Sporadic protests aroused in Iran after the results of the June 12 presidential election were announced with President Ahmadinejad winning by a landslide.

The protests, however, turned violent on occasion after a few rioters backed by foreigners embarked on vandalism, arson and assault. Twenty people including eight Basij members were killed as a result.

MJ/SME/MMN