Iran 'will produce nuclear fuel'
2006-08-27 12:54
Tehran - Iran is determined to produce its own nuclear fuel despite the demand by the UN security council to halt enrichment of uranium, the country's top nuclear negotiator Ari Larijani said on national radio on Sunday.
"Production of nuclear fuel is one of Iran's strategic objectives," Larijani said during a meeting with editors of leading Iranian newspapers.
Enrichment of uranium is necessary to produce nuclear fuel, but the process can also be used to produce the explosive core of an atomic weapon.
Western countries, led by the United States believe, Iran is seeking to build an atomic bomb, but the Islamic republic insists it only wants civil nuclear power and has the right to master the required technology.
The UN security council has set a deadline of August 31 for Iran to halt sensitive nuclear activities.
Tehran risks facing possible economic sanctions if it continues to refuse the demand.