Iran warns against Western "harsh approaches" over nuclear issue

Iran on Monday warned Western countries against any "harsh approaches" over Tehran's nuclear issue, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"If Westerners take harsh approaches, their practice will not be much effective," Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani told reporters after a meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili.

"Rather, this will make the Islamic Republic of Iran more determined to continue with its nuclear activities," he added.

The Iranian nuclear official reiterated that while Tehran favors negotiations, it will make decisions based on new conditions.

Also on Monday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated that his country would not give up on its nuclear program, the state television reported.

In a televised speech, Ahmadinejad said that Iran demanded full utilization of nuclear energy and the demand was supported by all Iranians.

He stressed that Iran would not retreat "one iota" from its internationally acknowledged rights.

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

Iranian officials have claimed that Iran would not back down on its legitimate nuclear rights, warning the West not to imagine that the country would suspend uranium enrichment.

The European Union (EU) foreign ministers issued a statement on Oct. 17, saying that if Iran does not comply with UN Security Council's requirements, the EU would "work for the adoption of measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter," which stipulates economic and diplomatic sanctions.

Source: Xinhua