Iran's president today said his country would not back down from plans to enrich uranium, as the international community met in Austria to consider measures to discourage Tehran from extending its nuclear programme.
"Our nation has made its decision to fully use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and all have to give in to this decision made by the Iranian nation," said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.
His comments will strengthen the resolve of countries, particularly the US, who want Iran referred to the UN Security Council for sanction.
The 35-nation board of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will today hear a report on Iran's nuclear programme and debate the issue in Vienna.
A senior Western diplomat familiar with the Security Council negotiations said permanent council members Britain and France were preparing a statement "urging" Iran to re-impose a freeze on all enrichment.
AP