Iran rejects suspending enrichment

Tehran: On the eve of talks with the European Union foreign policy chief, Iran's nuclear negotiator rejected on Wednesday the possibility of Iran suspending its controversial nuclear enrichment program.

"Suspension is not the right solution for solving Iran's nuclear issue," the state news agency quoted Ali Larijani as saying before leaving Tehran for Spain. "Past experiences have shown that suspension is not acceptable, at all."

Larijani, who arrives in Madrid on Wednesday afternoon, is expected to hold talks with EU's Javier Solana on Thursday.

The talks are meant to explore whether there is room to resume negotiations over Iran's disputed nuclear program, which the United States and the EU fear is being used to
make weapons. Iran rejects Western claims, saying its program is for generating electricity only.

The UN Security Council has demanded Iran suspend uranium enrichment, which can produce both reactor fuel and - at higher levels - weapons-grade material. The Security
Council first imposed sanctions on Iran on December 23 for rejecting its demands, and then modestly increased them in March.

The council is preparing to debate a third round of punitive measures against Tehran.

"If Iran is supposed to suspend its nuclear activities, there will be no issue for talks," said Larijani, adding that the UN and US demand for uranium enrichment suspension was "unprincipled."

However, Larijani said Tehran was prepared and ready to remove the West's concerns over its nuclear program. "We want to continue our peaceful nuclear program, but others should have no concerns about it as well."