Die of anger, defiant Iran tells the West

Mohamed ElBaradei, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, was circumspect after holding talks with Iranian nuclear experts aimed at heading off a growing crisis over Iran's nuclear ambitions. But there was no apparent breakthrough.

He confirmed that he had discussed with his Iranian hosts a UN proposal for Iran to resume a freeze on uranium enrichment until questions over the full extent of its nuclear programme have been resolved.

However, the chief Iranian nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, indicated suspension was not an option during a joint news conference with Mr ElBaradei. "Such proposals are not very important ones," he said.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad issued a typically inflammatory statement only hours before Mr ElBaradei arrived in Tehran. "Our answer to those who are angry about Iran obtaining the full nuclear cycle is one phrase, we say: Be angry and die of this anger," he said.

"We will not hold talks with anyone about the Iranian nation's right (to enrichment) and no one has the right to step back, even one iota."

Mr ElBaradei went to Tehran as he prepares to report back to the UN Security Council at the end of the month on Iranian compliance with IAEA and UN demands. If Iran continues its defiant stand, it risks increased diplomatic pressure from the UN although Russia and China - Iran's allies on the council - are adamant that sanctions should not be imposed.

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http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article357645.ece