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Iran Reasserts Nuclear Right Ahead Of IAEA Meeting

June 12, 2006 -- Iran has issued a defiant statement about its right to conduct nuclear research just hours before the governing body of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) begins a meeting in Vienna that is expected to include discussion of that country's disputed nuclear program.

Tehran's statement today says Iran will not negotiate over its right to enrich uranium.

Diplomats say that while the 35 member states plan to discuss Iran's nuclear program, no resolutions are expected to be passed.

Chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani has urged the IAEA to exercise restraint at the meeting.

Last week, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States offered Iran a batch of economic and security incentives to shelve a uranium-enrichment program that could yield fuel for nuclear power plants or, eventually, atomic bombs. If officials in Tehran refuse, some countries are likely to seek UN sanctions against Iran.

Western Deadline

EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana said today that he expected an Iranian response this week to the offer.

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal has meanwhile arrived in the Iranian capital Tehran for a one-day visit during which he will have talks with senior Iranian officials. Iran's State news agency, IRNA, reports that al-Faisal is carrying a message for Iran's leaders.

(Reuters)

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