Iran Rejects UN's Call for Direct Talks With US

Iran rejected a call by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the US to hold direct talks with the Islamic Republic about its nuclear program.

"The US isn't prepared to have talks on a one-to-one equal basis. They are following the politics of threat. So under these conditions we see no necessity to start talks with them", Iran said.

Annan on May 5 said Iran might be more willing to negotiate in direct talks with the US The UK and France, backed by the US, proposed a resolution to the UN Security Council on May 3 demanding Iran cease uranium enrichment, and said they would seek sanctions should the government in Tehran fail to comply.

"Iran won't accept a resolution that fails to recognize its right to a peaceful nuclear program, Asefi said today. Should the Security Council adopt the proposed resolution it would decrease Iran's willingness to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency", Iran said

Suspension of Iran's nuclear activities is "definitely not on Iran's agenda", Iran said.

Iran reiterated it may quit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if it faces further international pressure to abandon its nuclear program.

Russia and China, two veto-wielding members with close economic ties to Iran, reject reference in the draft to Chapter Seven of the UN charter and allusion to Iran's nuclear program as a threat to international peace and security.

Chapter Seven provides for the "severance of diplomatic relations", "interruption of economic relations" and the "use of armed force".

The US accuses Iran of seeking to build weapons under cover of a civilian atomic program. The Islamic Republic insists its nuclear ambitions are peaceful.