Iran rules out halt to uranium enrichment programme

Tehran: Iran ruled out halting its disputed nuclear work on Monday, saying it would not consider any incentives offered by world powers that violated the Islamic Republic's atomic rights.

Six world powers agreed at a meeting in London on Friday to offer a new incentives package to persuade Iran to suspend uranium enrichment, a process which the West believes Tehran wants to master so that it can build nuclear weapons.

Iran, which insists its nuclear programme is aimed at generating electricity, says enrichment is a national right that it will not give up.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali said, "Those incentives that violate the Iranian nation's right in any form will not be reviewed by the Islamic state."

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia - plus Germany, offered a package to Iran in 2006 that demanded Iran halt enrichment. Tehran rejected it.

Hosseini said, "Regarding the incentives package ... we believe the path adopted in the past should not be continued. They should act based on realities and international regulations. Talks should be held based on respecting nations' rights."