Iran says will not suspend uranium enrichment

VIENNA, Mar 30 (Reuters) Iran's ambassador to the UN nuclear watchdog today said that Tehran would not suspend uranium enrichment work, which can produce fuel for power plants or bombs, as demanded by the UN Security Council.

Yesterday the council unanimously adopted a 'presidential statement' calling on Iran to freeze its enrichment work. Iran says it only wants nuclear technology for electricity generation but Western countries fear it wants nuclear weapons.

''We will not, definitely, suspend again the enrichment, particularly the R&D (research and development)'' Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Aliasghar Soltaniyeh, told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Iran's decision to resume uranium enrichment in January prompted Britain, France and Germany to break off 2-1/2 years of EU talks with Tehran and back back a US demand to refer Iran to the Security Council.

Iran says its enrichment work is research, or R&D.

Asked whether Iran would suspend the work as demended by the council, Soltaniyeh said: ''The answer is 'no'. The decision for the activities, particularly the R&D enrichment, is irreversible.'' Soltaniyeh added that there was ''no legal basis for any action by the United Nations Security Council'' and Iran's nuclear dossier should instead be dealt with by the IAEA.

''At the same time, we have announced that we will spare no effort in removing any ambiguity for the peaceful nature of our nuclear activities and we continue our cooperation with the IAEA,'' he added.

Reuters SB BD1746