"Our activities respect the Non-Proliferation Treaty... so we will not accept the suspension (of uranium enrichment)," he told a news conference, in the first formal reaction to the July 31 resolution.

"They should know that such resolutions will not affect our determination. We will pursue the nuclear rights of Iranians which are enshrined in the NPT."

The UN Security Council resolution requires Iran to halt uranium enrichment and other sensitive nuclear fuel work by August 31 or face the prospect of sanctions.

The United States has accused Iran of attempting to build a nuclear weapon but Tehran insists the uranium work is for peaceful energy-generation purposes.

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