Iran says its stance on its nuclear programme remains unchanged, despite an EU offer of incentives to suspend uranium enrichment.
A government spokesman said the country was prepared to negotiate with major world powers, but insisted the talks must address Iran's nuclear rights.
He was speaking a day after Iran formally responded to the EU offer.
Correspondents say the latest statement suggests Iran is not ready to slow down its nuclear activities.
The exact content of both the EU proposal and the Iranian response have not yet been made public.
In the first official comments since Iran submitted its response to the EU, spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said that Iran "will not go back on its rights on the nuclear issue".
"Iran's stand regarding its peaceful nuclear program has not changed. Iran insists on negotiations while respecting its rights and avoiding any loss of international rights," he said.
The BBC's John Leyne in Tehran said it is difficult to see how any talks will last if Iran is unwilling to compromise on its nuclear programme.
Incentives
The incentives package from China, the EU, France, Russia, the UK and US was offered to Iran by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in June.
Mr Solana also asked Iran to accept a six-week freeze on further developments on its controversial programme, in return for a similar freeze on new UN sanctions.
Separately, the EU also imposed new sanctions on Iran in June.
The incentives package builds on a previous offer of 2006 and says that if Iran suspends uranium enrichment, then talks can start about a long-term agreement.
On offer is recognition of Iran's right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the treatment of Iran in "the same manner" as other states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Iran would get help with developing nuclear power stations and be guaranteed fuel for them.
It would also be offered trade concessions, including the possible lifting of US sanctions preventing it from buying new civilian aircraft and parts.
Tehran has consistently denied Western claims that it is seeking to build a nuclear weapon, saying its programme is peaceful.
It has repeatedly rejected demands to halt enriching uranium, which can be used as fuel for power plants or material for weapons if refined to a greater degree.
Our correspondent says it may be significant that the latest tough comments came from an official close to President Ahmadinejad.
Some officials have hinted that a compromise could be possible, but the president has repeatedly restated his commitment to the nuclear programme.
(Source: BBC)
5 comments:
Iran is totally in the driver's seat now. The risk to the western economies is far too great. For example people already can't pay their mortgages, if oil went to 500 dollars a barrel it would be devastating.
The western nations are just looking even weaker by still trying to negotiate and threaten when Iran is openly and blatantly standing up to them and tossing aside their demands.
--aa2
The best thing for the western nations to do now is pass the silly sanctions which will do nothing to Iran, and say 'Ha! that will teach them.'
Then don't talk about it again.
--aa2
There are times when watching political posturing reminds me of watching relatively unsophisticated people who believe that they can impose discipline on children through the use of physical force.
Children rapidly grow up and cease paying attention to such threats.
Reason and common interests are much more mature ways of reaching peaceful agreements.
The risk to the western economies is far too great.
The western nations are just looking even weaker by still trying to negotiate and threaten when Iran is openly and blatantly standing up to them and pitching aside their.
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Aady
http://www.minutetraders.com
I see it more as unwillingness of western powers to accept some of the previously developing and poor countries might challenge their economical welfare. Iran is one of such challenges, China, Russia, India and other non-western countries.
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