Iran obstinate on nuclear enrichment
Iran obstinate on nuclear enrichment
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Tuesday, 18, Apr 2006 03:54
Former Iranian president Hashemi Rafsanjani says Tehran has no intention of stopping its nuclear enrichment programme.
During a visit to Kuwait yesterday, Mr Rafsanjani told journalists that Iran would continue its research despite pressure from abroad to halt the apparent brinkmanship.
Earlier, Richard Lugar, the chairman of the US senate foreign relations committee, urged the Bush administration to hold bilateral talks with Iran, saying they were necessary as it was too soon to press for UN-backed sanctions.
The UN security council has given Iran until April 28th to end its enrichment activities or face possible sanctions.
US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has refused to rule out military action to deal with Iran's perceived obstinacy.
Iran says its wants to boost electricity generation through its nuclear research.
The US and EU adjudge Iran a threat to Israeli security and stability in the Middle East.
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday said Tehran was researching an advanced method of making atomic fuel.
In the past, he has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and denied some historical interpretations of the Holocaust.
Iran has said it will not be bullied by the US but will cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, ahead of the April 30th deadline.
World crude oil prices passed $70 a barrel, the highest level for nearly eight months, on news the US may contemplate military action against the oil-producing Islamic state.