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Iran Rules Out Use Of Oil As Weapon In Nuclear Dispute

March 31, 2006 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki says Iran will not use oil as a weapon in the dispute over its nuclear program.

Speaking in Geneva today, Mottaki reiterated Iran's stance that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.

On March 30, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, together with Germany, demanded that Iran suspend its nuclear enrichment activities or face isolation.

Uranium enrichment can produce fuel for power stations or atomic bombs.

Mohammed el-Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on March 31 that Iran's nuclear program posed no immediate threat.

In comments also made on March 31, Gregory Schulte, the U.S. ambassador to the IAEA, said the Security Council should consider sanctions if Iran refuses to cooperate.

But he added that the issue could still be resolved diplomatically.

(compiled from agency reports)

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org