Iran will continue its nuclear work "to the maximum scope" within the
non-proliferation regime, but will give a reply to an international nuclear
offer by Aug. 22 as announced, Iran's ambassador to Russia said yesterday.
Tehran views as "unlawful" the latest UN Security Council resolution on Iran,
which urges the country to stop uranium enrichment by Aug. 31, Gholamreza Ansari
said, quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency.
"Therefore we don't recognize the demand that we suspend uranium enrichment
in view of absence of violations on our part," Ansari said.
But Tehran will give an answer by Aug. 22 to the international proposal on
its nuclear program, he added.
To lure Tehran to the suspension of uranium enrichment, Britain, China,
France, Russia, the United States and Germany offered an international package
in mid-June offering incentives and multilateral talks to Iran.
"Iran intends to continue work in the nuclear field to the maximum scope in
accordance with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," Ansari said.
"We are resolved to continue our activity within the framework of IAEA
rules," the diplomat said, referring to the UN nuclear watchdog, the
International Atomic Energy Agency.
The United States accuses Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under a
civilian front, but Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed at generating
power to meet surging domestic demand.
