Ali Larijani nevertheless said Iran would give a chance for negotiations ease suspicions of a nuclear weapons drive before ending a freeze on uranium enrichment -- which makes reactor fuel but can be extended to military purposes.

"Very certainly, enrichment will take place in Iran, but for confidence building we decided on negotiations," Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told a news conference.

Britain, France and Germany -- backed by the United States -- argue that the only guarantee Iran will not use its atomic energy drive as a means to acquire the bomb is for the country to totally abandon uranium enrichment activities.

The EU-3 and Iran are expected to meet in the coming weeks, with the Europeans set to press forward a proposal from Moscow under which Iran's uranium would be enriched only on Russian soil.

If Iran refuses, the issue could be referred to the UN Security Council.

But Larijani said enrichment "is not something that a country invests in and then transfers it.

"We don't see the need for such a thing. What can be done in a few years we can do right now. It is not proper and not politically reasonable," he said, renewing his objection to Moscow's suggestion.

He did not say when Iran could resume the ultra-sensitive work, but added that "we prefer to have a result on enrichment through negotiations, and then start it" and said talks should not last more than "several months".

He also said that in the coming months Iran would issue an international tender for the construction of two nuclear power stations, as part of its ambition to build 20 power stations over the next 20 years to produce 20 megawatts of electricity.

And arch-enemy Israel, he warned, would face "heavy consequences" if it decided to attack.

Former Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted as saying Monday that Israel needed to "act in the spirit" of the late premier Menachem Begin who ordered an air strike on Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981.

But Larijani said Iran, which maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful, was not afraid of an attack.

"Comparing Iran and Iraq is an error, because Iran is not an easy target. You should not pay attention to such rude comments by Israeli officials," he told reporters.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi also said Iran's response to such an attack would be "devastating and unbearable".

related report
Iran To Build Nuclear Power Plant With 'Domestic Technology'
Tehran (AFP) Dec 05 - Iran's government has given the go-ahead for the construction of a nuclear power plant in the southwestern province of Khuzestan using "domestic technology", Iranian media said Monday.

The official IRNA news agency said the plan was approved during a cabinet meeting headed by hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Absolutely no further details were given.

Iran has already announced plans to build 20 nuclear power plants to produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity within the next 20 years, and officials have said they would soon open an international tender for two of them.

Iran insists it needs nuclear energy to meet the increased energy needs of a booming population, and boost its oil and gas export by reducing domestic fossil fuel consumption.

Iran's first nuclear plant is currently under construction near the southern city of Bushehr. Iran is dependent on Russia for plant construction and fuel.

Related Links
SpaceWar
Search SpaceWar
Subscribe To SpaceWar Express

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only