Iran says it will not quit nuclear power program

Iran vowed Wednesday not to surrender its program to generate nuclear power, as UN experts held talks with Iranian officials aimed getting Tehran to allow unrestricted inspection of its nuclear facilities.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will not give up nuclear technology as a basis for legitimate power," state television quoted President Mohammad Khatami as telling Iran's most senior officials.

Khatami said Iran had no desire for nuclear weapons the US accuses it of seeking, "because we cannot use such weapons based on our Islamic and moral teachings."

His comments during a meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the country's top military and political officials came as a three-member legal team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog, met government officials to discuss an additional protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that would allow inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities without notice.

Khatami hinted Iran may sign the protocol "if the world recognizes" his country's right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

Iran has always said it would agree to unfettered inspections if it is granted access to advanced nuclear technology as provided for under the non-proliferation treaty. Tehran says Washington is keeping Iran from getting that technology.

The US has accused Iran of running a clandestine nuclear weapons program and wants the IAEA to declare Tehran in violation of the non-proliferation treaty.

On Monday, the Los Angeles Times reported that Iran "appears to be in the late stages of developing the capacity to build a nuclear bomb."