Iran today rejected warnings from the European Union against resuming its uranium enrichment activities, saying it would never abandon what it called its "legitimate rights." Iran was referring to a letter from Britain, France and Germany received in Tehran earlier today. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said that, "the time fore threats and intimidation is over."
The three European countries have been negotiating with Iran to secure an end to its uranium enrichment program on behalf of the European Union and the IAEA, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog. In their letter they warned Tehran against resuming its nuclear activities, saying any decision to that effect would bring negotiations with the European Union to an end and force them to pursue "other courses of action."
The message was conveyed in a letter the three countries and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana sent to Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani.
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said this could mean referring the case to the UN Security Council. He added:
“If the Iranians still do not accept what the [IAEA's] Council of Governors proposes them, then it seems to me that the international community should turn to the [UN] Security Council. This is a major issue and we will see then what type of sanctions we may impose on Iran."
Despite its denial to the contrary, Iran is suspected of pursuing a nuclear weapons program. It has threatened to restart its enrichment program within two days.
