TEHRAN, September 28 (RIA Novosti) - Iran's hard-line president said Thursday his country would not agree to stop uranium enrichment "even for one day."

The Islamic Republic has been at the center of an international dispute this year over its nuclear ambitions. Some countries suspect Iran of pursuing a covert weapons program, but Tehran has consistently denied the claims and says it needs nuclear energy for civilian needs.

"They [the West] are asking us to suspend work on enriching uranium at least for one day, but we answer them that we will not do so," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, echoing earlier statements emanating from Tehran.

"There are no grounds for suspending uranium enrichment work," he said.

Ahmadinejad said the Iranian nuclear program was transparent and that Iran had the right to develop civilian nuclear technology in line with international laws.

"The Iranian nation will not yield an inch to pressure exerted on Iran in connection with its nuclear program," he said.