Iran 'won't suspend nuclear work'

Iran resumed uranium conversion last month at the Isfahan plant.

• U.N. seeks nuclear suspension

• Uranium conversion resumes

• Iran council approves nuke plan

• EU, Iran strive for deal

• TIME.com: Iran's new leader

YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran's new foreign minister has said the country will not suspend activities at its Isfahan uranium conversion facility and it plans to seek bids for the construction of two more nuclear plants.

"The resumption of the Isfahan plant's suspension is not part of our agenda of upcoming talks with the Europeans and is out of the question for us," Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said at a news conference on Sunday.

The United States and Europe believe Iran has been trying to develop a nuclear weapons program, but Iran says it is simply trying to harness nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

Mottaki said any effort to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council for its activities would lack any legal basis and would be a "lose-lose" situation, meaning it would have a negative effect for all. He favors a "win-win" environment of trust between Iran and the international community over its nuclear aspirations.

Talks between Iran and the European Union over Iran's nuclear program lasted two years and recently collapsed. Iran resumed work at its Isfahan plant.

Mottaki says there should be unconditional negotiations with the European Union.

Earlier this year, the Iranian parliament passed a law making acquistion of nuclear power for peaceful purposes a priority and an obligation for the government.

Referring to this law, Mottaki said "in line with that law, we have now put up for bid the construction of two more nuclear plants and we hope to fulfill this project through international contracts."

Iran's new president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is planning to discuss new proposals to resolve the differences over the program when he visits the United Nations later this week.

Journalist Shirzad Bozorgmehr contributed to this report.

Story Tools

Click Here to try 4 Free Trial Issues of Time!

Home Page

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN

CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

Home Page

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN

CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.