Tehran Says Sanctions Threat Jeopardizes Nuclear Talks

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast

Iran's Foreign Ministry has warned that pressuring Tehran with further sanctions while international talks on the Iranian nuclear program are under way could jeopardize chances of reaching an agreement.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast also said on May 29 that Western powers should drop what he called their "illogical" demand that the Islamic republic halt production of uranium enriched to 20 percent.

Western powers say they are concerned that uranium enriched to 20 percent, used for fuel in Iran's medical reactor, could quickly be turned into more highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon.

Iran denies having a nuclear weapons program.

The next round of talks between Iran and six world powers on the nuclear dispute are due in Moscow on June 18-19.

The sides held inconclusive talks in Baghdad last week.

Based on Reuters, AP, and AFP