Iran Vows Not to Halt Nuclear Work

Iran’s supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Monday that his country would pursue its nuclear program despite a U.N. Security Council demand to stop enriching uranium by Aug. 31 or face possible sanctions.

Iran is to formally reply today to a trade and technology offer from major powers in return for halting uranium enrichment. The deal aims to allay Western fears that Iran wants to build atomic bombs. Tehran says its program is only for electricity.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has made its decision and, in the issue of nuclear energy, will continue its path powerfully ... and it will receive the sweet fruits of its efforts,” Khamenei said.

Khamenei, whose comments were quoted on state TV, did not specifically mention enrichment, but senior officials have repeated in the last few days that those efforts would not be stopped.

In June, the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany offered Iran economic and other incentives if it halted uranium enrichment.

Tensions have risen between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear monitoring arm, diplomats said.

One said Tehran had “created some difficulties and complications” for IAEA inspectors visiting Iran last week to prepare for an Aug. 31 report to the Security Council.

Another said the inspectors were denied access to the partially built underground section of the Natanz nuclear fuel plant, which they had previously been allowed to see.

A senior Iranian official denied inspectors were blocked.