Ahmadinejad Warns Against New Sanctions on Iran

VOA News 16 February 2010

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Tehran will act against any new sanctions and is still open to a uranium swap deal.

During a news conference in Tehran Tuesday, Mr. Ahmadinejad warned any country that imposes sanctions will "regret" the move.

He also said Tehran is still considering whether to accept a U.N.-brokered uranium swap deal. The plan calls for Iran to ship its low-enriched uranium abroad in exchange for nuclear fuel.

World powers believe the plan will limit Iran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon. The United States is working to boost international support for new sanctions to persuade Iran to accept the deal.

The United States, Russia and France have written a joint letter to the U.N. nuclear agency about Iran's claim that it has started enriching uranium to a higher purification level.

The letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency said the move raises concerns about Iran's nuclear intentions.

Iran says it has already produced uranium enriched to 20 percent - the level needed to power Tehran's medical research reactor.

The international community fears Iran may use the same process to purify uranium to a level needed for nuclear weapons.

Iran claims to already have the capacity to do so, but insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Separately, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met with his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, in Tehran Tuesday to discuss the nuclear dispute.

Turkey has good relations with Iran and has offered to host the swap. Iran has insisted that it take place on its own soil.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.