TEHRAN, Aug 17, 2006 (AFP) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Thursday to stand by the country’s nuclear work, insisting the UN Security Council cannot deprive Iran of its "rights", state news agency IRNA reported.
"The Iranian people stand by their rights with solidarity. They cannot deprive Iran of its undeniable rights with these sessions and paper-shuffling," he said in remarks aimed at UN Security Council members.
The West, led by the United States, suspects Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons. Tehran denies those charges, saying its atomic program is for peaceful purposes.
WASHINGTON, Aug 17, 2006 (AFP) – The United States will move quickly for UN Security Council action on sanctions against Iran if Tehran refuses to halt uranium enrichment by the end of the month, a senior State Deparment official said Thursday. 
PARIS, Aug 17, 2006 (AFP) – Iran’s ambassador to Paris reaffirmed Thursday that international calls for his country to halt uranium enrichment were "not acceptable", after Tehran said it would be prepared to discuss a freeze. 
