Deputy Director of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (AEO) Mohammad Sa'eedi said yesterday that suspension of uranium enrichment was "practically impossible" even though the UN Security Council has made such a demand, the local Fars news agency reported.

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

"Considering the technical progresses made by the Iranian scientists in the nuclear ground, suspension of uranium enrichment has now turned practically impossible," Sa'eedi was quoted as saying.

He confirmed that Iran would present its response on Tuesday to an international nuclear package offered by the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany.

Tehran's answer would be "very comprehensive and provide a very convenient opportunity for the West to move towards solving the case through negotiations," said the Iranian official.

Meanwhile, Iran would not propose any parallel or counter plan to replace the six-nation package, Sa'eedi 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.