Iran on Friday threatened to end negotiations and cooperation with the United Nations inspectors on its nuclear program if the case is referred to the UN Security Council at urges of the United States and the European Union (EU).

"If the case dossier is referred to the Security Council, the European countries will lose the current means (to solve the nuclear issue)," Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki was quoted by official IRNA news agency as saying.

Mottaki also recalled a law approved by the Majlis (parliament) last November which requires the government to cease all voluntary confidence-building measures if the country's nuclear case were brought before the UN Security Council.

"The government must cease all voluntary measures of cooperation according to the law," he said.

Iran defines suspension of uranium enrichment and implementation of the additional protocol of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as voluntary measures to build confidence with the EU in the nuclear talks.

The minister also urged the EU to separate the issue of nuclear research, which Iran resumed on Monday, from nuclear fuel production, saying that Iran had been prepared to continue talks with Europe in case the pan-Europe bloc was willing to negotiate on the nuclear fuel.

"They can choose to continue talks, hear Iran's clear explanations and come up with a solution that would be satisfactory to both sides, thus restoring Iran's right and ending all the current concerns," Mottaki said.

Mottaki further said that Iran would only deal with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to restore its inalienable rights if the EU chose to "end cooperation", adding that "it is up to the European states to make decision in this regard."

Mottaki was echoed later by Iran's envoy to the IAEA Ali-Asghar Soltaniyeh, who stressed in Vienna that "though Iran always gives priority to negotiation and good understanding, the country's status is quite clear based on the ratified bill."

However, the envoy also promised that removal of ambiguities over Iran's nuclear program and technical and diplomatic solutions were always welcome by Tehran.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also vowed not to give up Iran's legitimate rights to peaceful nuclear technology, condemning the attempt of "the super powers" to deprive other nations of scientific advancement.

Iranian officials' tough remarks came one day after foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain, the so-called EU trio which has been negotiating with Tehran on the nuclear issue on behalf of the bloc, held a meeting in Berlin in reaction to Iran's recent resumption of nuclear research.

During the meeting, the three ministers called for an emergency session of the IAEA to vote on referring Iran's nuclear issue to the UN Security Council, which could lead to sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

The United States has expressed support to the EU call of referral but ruled out military actions on Iran.

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, currently chairman of the powerful Expediency Council, on Thursday condemned the adoption of colonialist attitude by the countries toward Iran's nuclear program, vowing to "break down the colonial taboos against using nuclear energy peacefully."

UN chief Kofi Annan said on Thursday that Iran is still interested in talks with the EU over its nuclear program after a 40-minute telephone conversation with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani.

Iran on Tuesday removed seals on its nuclear research sites and resumed fuel research activities under the supervision of the IAEA, incurring condemnation of the European Union, the United States and some other countries.

Russia, which has been consistently supporting Iran on its nuclear issue and aiding it with its first nuclear power plant construction, expressed disappointment and concern over Tehran's move.

Moscow on Friday strongly called on Tehran to return to full suspension of its uranium enrichment activities and fully cooperate with the IAEA.

Iranian Supreme Leader Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran would not give in under the pressure of sanctions, citing Iran's history of "self sufficiency."

"Certain states are after imposing economic sanctions on Iran through propaganda campaigns against its nuclear program. Economic sanctions on Iran could not work in the past. Instead, it encouraged the students and young scientists to work for self- sufficiency of the nation," Khamenei said.

Washington accuses Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons, a charge rejected by Iran as politically motivated.

Source: Xinhua