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Iran to resume `nuclear activities'

Iran announced yesterday it will resume certain nuclear activities suspended as part of a deal with the EU but stick to a freeze on uranium enrichment and continue talks with the EU.

Foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said the clerical regime was determined to press on with its controversial nuclear fuel drive despite fresh UN efforts to limit the spread of sensitive technology.

"Very certainly we will resume some of our activities," Asefi said.

"We are in the process of discussing among ourselves which activities, but this does not concern enrichment," he said, adding the Islamic republic's leadership would make a decision within seven or eight days.

"The negotiations are continuing, and as long as they continue the suspension of enrichment will continue," Asefi said of the talks with EU states Britain, France and Germany.

The latest move by Iran is the most serious threat yet to its November deal with the EU-3 to freeze its fuel cycle work -- the focus of international fears the country may be seeking the bomb -- and open talks on finding a solution.

Last week the clerical regime said it was unhappy with the progress of the negotiations, in which the EU are promising trade, political and other benefits in return for "objective guarantees" from Iran that it will not develop the capacity to make nuclear weapons.
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