Tehran, Nov 02: Iran reiterated today it remained unwilling to totally halt uranium enrichment, but pledged that it remained committed to answering any new questions from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "Our uranium enrichment activities are still in their early stages, and it has only been several months since we began. We have said we agree to voluntarily suspend this, but not stop," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters.
"The use of nuclear technology for peaceful ends is our right, and we do not have the right nor the wish to reject this," he added, asserting that, "No country has the right to deprive Iran of this technology."
"We have given a complete report (to the IAEA) and we are ready, as we have already said, to cooperate fully and give other details demanded," Asefi said.
Meanwhile, Iran's foreign ministry today repeated denials that the Islamic republic was allowing anti-US and British fighters to cross from its soil into Iraq, asserting the lengthy border was "under control".
"Our borders are under control. Iran will not permit groups who could threaten security in Iraq to cross," spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters.
Since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in April, US and British officials have fired off a string of allegations against Iran for allegedly undermining post-war reconstruction efforts. Bureau Report