Iranian Leaders Again Defend Nuclear Program

Mohammad el-Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in Tehran on April 13 (Fars) April 14, 2006 -- Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad today again rejected international demands for Iran to stop its uranium enrichment program, saying the country will not respond to "threats and pressures."

The deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammad Saedi, said Iran's nuclear program does not contradict the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Saedi made the statement following a visit on April 13 by Mohammad el-Baradei, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog. Saedi said he hopes el-Baradei's findings will be "fair" and "logical."

A top Chinese envoy is scheduled to meet with officials in Iran on April 14 to discuss the nuclear issue.

Also today, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Moscow will on April 18 host another round of international talks on Iran's nuclear program.

(dpa)