Iran will not "retreat one iota" in its nuclear activities, its president says, in his first reaction to a new call for Tehran to end uranium enrichment. Report: Syria, North Korea Helped Iran Develop Nuclear Program ...
IAEA says Iran's nuclear activities serious concern ...
Envoys from the US, EU and UN asked Iran to give an answer within two weeks or face possible new sanctions.
The meeting in Geneva on Saturday was the first time US and Iranian officials have held face-to-face talks about Iran's controversial nuclear programme.
"The Iranian people are steadfast," President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.
They "will not retreat one iota in the face of oppressing powers," he said in the televised speech made to thousands of supporters in the southern town of Yasouj.
Iran says its nuclear programme is for entirely peaceful purposes, while the US and its allies believe it could be used to develop a nuclear weapon.
Diplomats are hoping that Iran would respond to a so-called "freeze-for-freeze" offer, under which a freeze of Iran's uranium enrichment programme at its current levels would be matched by a Western pledge not to strengthen sanctions on Tehran.
The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Tehran, said Iran was interested in the offer but it was unclear whether there were divisions in the leadership or whether the Iranians are playing for time.
Tehran's continued nuclear activity is defying UN Security Council demands to halt enrichment.
(BBC)
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