The Islamic Republic has been under international pressure since it resumed uranium enrichment in January 2006, which some Western countries suspect is part of a covert nuclear weapons program. Tehran has always denied the claims insisting that its nuclear research is purely for electricity generation.
"A moratorium on uranium enrichment is an illegal demand based on an erroneous political strategy," Manouchehr Mottaki was quoted by local media as saying. "The moratorium will never be imposed."
Mottaki said Iran will never give up its legal right to master civilian nuclear energy, and added the country is ready for talks on guarantees that its nuclear program is for purely civilian purposes and to strengthen the nuclear nonproliferation regime.
Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the UN nuclear watchdog, presented a report on Iran's nuclear program to the UN Security Council Friday, confirming that the Islamic Republic was continuing its enrichment activities, and was working to build more centrifuges in its underground center in Natanz in an apparent effort to reach industrial-scale production of nuclear fuel.
In response to Iran's unwillingness to forgo its nuclear ambitions, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1737 last December, which provided for sanctions against Iran banning activities involving uranium enrichment, chemical reprocessing, heavy water-based projects, and the production of nuclear weapons delivery systems.
The U.S. has pushed to punish the defiant regime. Officials in Washington, which has built up its military presence in the region, have even refused to rule out military strikes against Iran.
Russia, China and some other negotiators have maintained a more moderate approach in the dispute with an emphasis on diplomacy.
