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Iranian official says not to suspend enrichment
21/8/2006 10:38

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday that the country would not suspend uranium enrichment and would offer a multi-dimensional response to a six-nation package aimed at solving the Iranian nuclear issue.

"The issue of suspension ... is not on the agenda of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters in his weekly press conference.

He also reiterated Iran's rejection to a UN Security Council resolution that demands suspension of its uranium enrichment by Aug. 31.

"The resolution has no legal validity and is unacceptable for the Islamic Republic," he said.

On July 31, the Security Council adopted a resolution urging Tehran to "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development" by Aug. 31 or face the prospect of sanctions.

However, Asefi confirmed that Iran would make its formal reply on Aug. 22 to a package offered by the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany.

"We are in the final stage of our review on the package. And the package has various dimensions, so our response will be also multi-dimensional," Asefi said.

The six-nation proposal includes both incentives aimed at persuading Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if Iran does not comply. Iran has promised to give an official response by Aug. 22.



Xinhua News