Iran will not give in to "intimidation" on nuclear issue: Larijani

TEHERAN - AFP-Iran will not give in to "intimidation" and referral to the UN Security Council over its research activities into uranium enrichment, Teheran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani declared on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters on his return here from Vienna, Larijani said: "The aim of our negotiation with Russia and the EU was to preserve and maintain the research we have started, and in an appropriate way preserve the rights of all Iranians."

"The Islamic republic of Iran will preserve and maintain its right to the research and will not give in to any intimidation and referral to the UN Security Council."

Iran failed to convince major EU powers in last-gasp talks Friday that its nuclear program is not concealing a grab for the atom bomb, leaving open the path to possible Security Council action.

"Time is running out," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said after two hours of talks in Vienna that had been requested by Larijani.

"If we want success we have to act now," he said.

The United States and European Union have refused to retreat from a key demand: Iran must halt all enrichment of uranium, a process that can produce material for civilian nuclear reactor, or a bomb.

Iran, so far, is insisting on some enrichment even if only on a small-scale research level.

Larijani said: "There is no way Iran will give up its right to enrichment, because it is a sovereign right."

Referring to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting scheduled for Monday, he added: "The perception that the Iranians will give up their right is wrong, because all the Iranians are supporting their right."

"There are signs that some countries are ready to solve the question by allowing Iran to pursue research, but of course the US is against this."

The Vienna talks, which also included Britain, France and EU foreign policy supremo Javier Solana, were held "in a constructive atmosphere, but finally we were unable to reach agreement," Steinmeier said.

They form part of a frenetic diplomatic flurry by Iran ahead of the meeting Monday of the UN watchdog IAEA, which is to send an assessment of Iran's nuclear program to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.