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| Khamenei defends nuclear 'right' | Khamenei defends nuclear 'right' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, says the country will continue developing nuclear technology. | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, says the country will continue developing nuclear technology. |
| "Our policy is clear, progress with clear logic and insisting on the nation's right without any retreat," state television quoted him as saying. | "Our policy is clear, progress with clear logic and insisting on the nation's right without any retreat," state television quoted him as saying. |
| His comments come as the United Nations discusses its response to North Korea's claimed nuclear test on Monday. | His comments come as the United Nations discusses its response to North Korea's claimed nuclear test on Monday. |
| Iran has always maintained the technology is for peaceful purposes and not for atomic weapons. | Iran has always maintained the technology is for peaceful purposes and not for atomic weapons. |
| Last week, at talks in London, the six major powers trying to persuade Iran to curtail its nuclear research agreed to consult on the possibility of imposing sanctions. | |
| The Ayatollah's comments are his first public remarks since the meeting. | |
| 'Full confidence' | |
| He was also quoted as saying that while Iran had previously suspended its enrichment program, it would not do so again. | |
| "Now with steady heart and full confidence we press ahead and nobody can give a good reason that the nuclear path is wrong for the country," he said. | |
| Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was also quoted by state television, saying the country would continue to negotiate and cooperate in the nuclear energy field. | |
| "Iran's proposal is an appropriate framework for cooperation in the nuclear issue and the Iranian nation will continue the path of dignity with perseverance and prudence without any fear." | |
| Tehran had rejected a 31 August deadline set by the UN Security Council that it suspend enrichment or face possible sanctions. | |
| At the London talks last week, the US and the UK favoured immediate punitive sanctions, but China and Russia both said diplomacy was still the best way to achieve a solution. |