Iran warns UN over nuclear resolution

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran has threatened to bin an international proposal over its nuclear programme if the UN Security Council adopts a resolution demanding that Tehran freeze its sensitive atomic work.

Foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi also warned that Tehran could "revise" its policies -- implicitly warning that future access for UN inspectors could end -- and said the proposed UN resolution would also "worsen the crisis in the region".

"By putting pressure and trying to intimidate Iran, no country will achieve anything. On the contrary the situation will worsen," Asefi warned.

"If tomorrow they pass a resolution against Iran, the package will not be on the agenda anymore," he said of an international proposal offering incentives in return for a suspension of uranium enrichment work.

The proposal was drawn up by the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany. But at the same time, the Security Council is poised to pass a resolution giving Tehran until August 31 to stop enriching uranium.

The work is at the centre of fears the country could acquire nuclear weapons.

"The Europeans must be aware that we will revise our policies and react accordingly," Asefi said. "Issuing this resolution will worsen the crisis in the region."

Iranian leaders have in the past warned they could halt cooperation with inspectors from the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency and even quit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

They have also played up Iran's clout in the region.

When asked to elaborate on what specific measures Iran could take, Asefi simply replied: "They know what I am talking about".