Iran Vows to Continue with Nuclear Program

New talks between the United States and Iran raised expectations of a possible compromise to stop expanding its nuclear enrichment activities, but Tehran does not see it that way.

The talks were to convince Iran to halt all enrichment activities. In exchange, the six powers, including the United States and the five permanent United Nations Security Council, would hold off on passing new sanctions against its country.

Keyvan Imani, a member of the Iranian delegation, appeared to clearly indicate that Iran was not prepared to budge on enrichment.

"Suspension — there is no chance for that," Imani told reporters.

The presence of Undersecretary of State William Burns at the talks — the first instance of the Americans attending such meetings — had led to hopes Iran would compromise on suspension.

The nuclear enrichment issue is key for the talks because the activity can produce either nuclear fuel or the material used in the fissile core of warheads. Iran has defied three sets of U.N. sanctions demanding it end its enrichment program, saying it has a right to its peaceful uses under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

However, there is growing concerns that Iran might want to generate the fissile core of warheads instead.

Iranian statements do suggest Tehran is looking forward to improving ties with the United States, with officials speaking positively of deliberations by the U.S. administration to open a new diplomatic presence in the country after Tehran closed its embassy in 1979.

While the Geneva talks focus only on the nuclear issue, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said they could also result in agreements to open a U.S. interest-protection bureau and have direct flights between the two countries.

Still, the United States and its five partners remain committed to getting a full halt to Iranian enrichment.