Iran Refuses to Cede Nuclear Rights

Stalemate seen as Ahmadinejad refuses more negotiations

(NEWSER) - Iran looks set to face another round of international sanctions as nuclear talks have reached an impasse and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad refuses to discuss a compromise, reports the Guardian. Mohamed ElBaradei, who heads the UN nuclear watchdog, said today Iran has not suspended enrichment activities and continues to be uncooperative with the agency. "There is stalemate," the Nobel Prize winner said. More»

(NEWSER) - The US wants to be a direct party to nuclear talks between Iran and the UN, CNN reports. Washington had stayed away from earlier negotiations because it has no diplomatic relationship with the country, but the State Department said today it had asked an EU official to invite Iran to a sit-down with the UN Security Council. Iran has not heeded UN demands that it halt enrichment of uranium, which it says it will use for civil purposes. More»

Deadlocked nuke talks a 'step forward,' insists Iranian prez

(NEWSER) - After nuclear talks in Geneva ended in a deadlock yesterday, major powers gave Iran a two-week deadline to halt uranium enrichment or face tougher EU and UN sanctions, Reuters reports. But Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today presented an upbeat analysis of the discussions. "Any negotiation that takes place is a step forward," the Iranian president told state media reporters. More»

'The nation will slap you in the mouth,' Ahmadinejad warns

(NEWSER) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad invoked some schoolyard rhetoric today, threatening the West with a "bloody nose" over ongoing criticism of Iran's uranium enrichment program, Reuters reports. "The Iranian nation will bloody the enemy's nose if they want to violate an iota of our rights" to nuclear technology, Ahmadinejad warned. Not clear enough? "The nation will slap you in the mouth," he added. More»

Security Council continues to press Tehran on nuclear concerns

(NEWSER) - The UN hit Iran with a third round of sanctions today for refusing to halt its nuclear enrichment program, Reuters reports. The 14-0 security council vote approved more travel and financial limits and boosted trade restrictions, but was curbed by a US report that Tehran had scuttled its nuclear weapon plans in 2003, diplomats said. More»