Iran Says Will Expand Nuclear Activities

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, who is also Iran's Sercretary of Supreme National Security Council, speaks during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006. Larijani said Sunday that Iran will expand uranium enrichment activities, in defiance of a U.N. Security Council resolution giving the Islamic Republic until August 31 to halt nuclear activities or face the threat of political and economic sanctions. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (Vahid Salemi - AP)

Larijani said the deadline threat was "contrary" to the incentives package and blamed the West for damaging efforts for a diplomatic solution.

"We were expected to hold talks ... to remove ambiguities ... but they issued a resolution (at the U.N. Security Council) and killed it (talks). They should explain why they damaged the path of dialogue," he said.

Larijani insisted the U.N. had no right to require Iran suspend enrichment, saying his country has not violated any of its obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation treaty. He said any expansion of enrichment would remain under the supervision of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The U.S. and France agreed last week on a draft U.N. resolution calling for a cease-fire, but Hezbollah has effectively rejected it, saying it doesn't address Lebanese demands and would leave Israeli troops in Lebanon for the time being.

Saeed Laylaz, an Iranian political analyst, said the Mideast fighting has prompted Iran to toughen its line on the nuclear issue and "conclude that the West is intent on confronting Iran. It shows how the situation has exacerbated in the Mideast."

A cease-fire on the terms laid out in the draft resolution could be a setback for Hezbollah, which has won support across the region by the tougher than expected fight it has put up against the Israeli military.

Iran's comments Sunday signaled that it wouldn't back down easily on either front, Lebanon or the nuclear issue.

Iran's state-run radio said in a commentary that Iran was serious in its defiance of the U.N. resolution demanding a suspension of enrichment.

"Iran stands ready to pay the necessary price in defending the rights of the Iranian nation," it said.