Iran ends voluntary cooperation on nukes
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-06 06:45

Iran repeatedly has stressed it would continue to honor its commitments under the treaty but that it has the right to pursue a peaceful nuclear program.

"Adoption of the policy of resistance doesn't mean we are on non-speaking terms or noncooperative," Mottaki said. "Yesterday we had two options. One was the option of resistance and the other was surrender. We chose resistance."

"Our activities will continue within the NPT (and not beyond that)," he told a press conference. "We have withdrawn only the possibility of voluntary cooperation from them (IAEA and the West)."

Mottaki said the IAEA resolution was "the result of a political will based on U.S. hostility" toward Iran.

He said Iran would defend its right to possess nuclear technology and enrich uranium to produce nuclear fuel.

"We will continue this path," he told reporters.

The IAEA resolution requests the agency's Director General Mohamed ElBaradei to "report to the Security Council" with the steps Iran needs to take to dispel suspicions about its nuclear ambitions.

These include that it return to freezing uranium enrichment; consider stopping construction of a heavy-water reactor that could be the source of plutonium; formally ratify the agreement allowing the IAEA greater inspecting authority; and give the agency more power in its investigation of Iran's nuclear program.

Tensions were likely to rise as Iran rejects pressure from the outside. It started escalating last month after Iran removed U.N. seals and began nuclear research, including small-scale uranium enrichment.

That came after months of futile talks between Iran and Britain, Germany and France, which negotiated on behalf of the 25-nation European Union.

Asefi said Iranian diplomats still will attend Feb. 16 talks in Moscow concerning Russia's enrichment proposal.

"The proposal has to conform itself with the new circumstances," Asefi said Sunday. "If the Russian proposal makes itself compatible with the new conditions, it can be negotiated."