Iran 'will not step down one iota'
Iran has said that it will not step down "one iota" from its uranium enrichment programme.
Tehran: Iran has said that it will not step down "one iota" from its uranium enrichment programme.
During talks with Security Council chief Mohammad El Baradei, Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani refused to make concessions on the UN's plea for Iran to suspend enrichment.
During the four hours of talks, Larijani maintained that suspension would not happen. He said, "Such proposals are not very important ones."
El Baradei was in talks with Larijani to propose the UN's demand for Iran to suspend its enrichment.
El Baradei said, "We have not seen diversion of nuclear material for weapons purposes, but the picture is still hazy and not very clear."
He added that many activities had gone unreported during the 20 years of Iran's nuclear program.
He said during the talks Larijani had renewed Iran's commitment "to provide clarity to outstanding issues" before El Baradei writes a report to the International Atomic Energy Agency board by the end of the month.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, "We won't hold talks with anyone about the right of the Iranian nation (to enrich uranium) and no one has the right to retreat, even one iota."
He added, "Our answer to those who are angry about Iran achieving the full nuclear fuel cycle is just one phrase. We say: 'Be angry at us and die of this anger.'"
US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice said there will "have to be some consequence" for Iran?s continued refusal to step down from enrichment in light of the UN?s resolution.
