Iran Rejects EU Nuclear Proposal

Iran on Saturday rejected a European proposal designed to calm Western fears that its nuclear program could be used to make weapons, saying the offer failed to recognize its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

Germany accused Iran of being “confrontational.” It and France predicted that unless Iran backed down, the matter would go to the United Nations Security Council for consideration of sanctions. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, is to meet Tuesday to discuss the issue.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told state radio that the European Union proposal was “unacceptable,” primarily because it barred Iran from producing enriched uranium. The material can be used as fuel for atomic reactors that generate electricity -- or to make nuclear bombs.

“We had already announced that any plan has to recognize Iran’s right to enrich uranium,” Asefi said.

Iran repeatedly has said its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes. It denies U.S. allegations that the operation is a cover for developing atomic bombs, which would be a violation of Iran’s commitments under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

The discovery that Iran had kept aspects of its nuclear program secret for many years raised concerns, especially in Washington, Israel and Europe, and pressure has mounted for Iran to make concessions. Britain, France and Germany have been working to find a compromise by offering Iran incentives to give up parts of its nuclear program that could have military uses.

Acting on behalf of the 25member European Union, the three nations on Friday delivered a proposal that offers to provide fuel and other long-term support to help Iran generate electricity from nuclear reactors if Tehran commits to not making nuclear arms. The Europeans also offered economic, political and security cooperation if Iran accepted the plan.

In return, the Europeans said, Iran would have to make a “legally binding commitment not to withdraw” from the nuclear treaty. Iran also would have to agree to allow surprise inspections by the IAEA and abandon all uranium activities, including conversion, enrichment and reprocessing.

Iran insists that, as a signatory to the nonproliferation treaty, it has a right to enrich uranium.

In his inauguration speech Saturday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did not mention the nuclear dispute directly but said Iran would not bow to foreign pressure.

“We are logical and respect international rules, but will not give in to those who want to violate our rights,” he said. “The Iranian nation cannot be intimidated.”

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Iran was taking a “confrontational course” and warned that the rejection would put Iran’s nuclear program before the Security Council.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy urged Iran to reconsider.

In comments to Le Journal du Dimanche, released ahead of publication today, Douste-Blazy said that if Iran maintained its rejection, the case would certainly go to the Security Council.

The U.S. has long lobbied for the IAEA to refer Iran to the council. Sanctions would be a blow to Iran’s struggling economy, and it was such a possibility that led Tehran to agree to suspend its work with uranium in November while negotiations with the Europeans proceeded.

The IAEA board scheduled a meeting Tuesday to discuss nuclear safeguards in Iran after recent statements from Iranian officials that they could soon resume converting raw uranium into a gas, a step before the enrichment process.