Iran Rejects Concessions Over Nuclear Program

4 September 2005 -- Iran today said that it will continue its uranium conversion activities despite international criticism.
In remarks broadcast on state television, Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said mounting pressure on Iran
to stop making nuclear fuel amounted to "bullying."

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said that Tehran will not yield to pressure from the United States and the European Union and give up what he described as its legitimate right to have peaceful nuclear technology.

"Gone is the time when they could deny Iran its rights by threatening it. It's our legitimate right to have peaceful nuclear technology and we will not give that up," Asefi said.

U.S. and European officials have warned that they will push for Iran's nuclear case to be sent to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions if Tehran doesn't stop all nuclear-fuel work.

On 2 September, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Muhammed el-Baradei, issued a report confirming that Iran resumed uranium conversion at the Isfahan plant last month.

The report also said that Tehran has failed to clarify certain issues surrounding its nuclear program despite months
of IAEA investigations.

(Agencies)

For RFE/RL's complete coverage of the controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program, see "Iran's Nuclear Program."