Iran rejects Russia nuclear plan

Iran says its nuclear programme is for purely peaceful purposes

Iran has dismissed a proposal that it conduct uranium enrichment in Russia as a way out of an impasse in talks over its controversial nuclear programme.

Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said it was not logical for any country to entrust its energy security to another state.

The US and EU want Iran to give up its ambitions to manufacture fuel suitable for use in nuclear bombs.

Earlier, Iran said it had developed equipment to separate uranium.

Deadlock

Iran says it developed the machinery to separate uranium from its core itself because no foreign country was willing to supply it.

Iran's efforts to build a full nuclear fuel cycle have caused alarm in the US, which fears it could use the technology to build atomic weapons.

IRAN'S NUCLEAR STANDOFF September 2002: Work begins on Iran's first nuclear reactor at Bushehr December 2002: Satellite photographs reveal nuclear sites at Arak and Natanz; Iran agrees to an IAEA inspection September 2003: IAEA gives Iran weeks to prove it is not pursuing atomic weapons November 2003: Iran suspends uranium enrichment and allows tougher inspections; IAEA says no proof of any weapons programme June 2004: IAEA rebukes Iran for not fully co-operating with nuclear inquiry November 2004: Iran suspends uranium enrichment as part of deal with EU August 2005: Iran rejects EU proposals and resumes work at Isfahan nuclear plant

Iran has denied it is seeking to build a nuclear bomb and says it is seeking only to produce electricity.

Talks broke down in August, when Iran resumed converting uranium.

Moscow suggested last year that Iran be allowed to conduct uranium enrichment in Russia, giving the country access to the nuclear fuel cycle while ensuring its nuclear program was for peaceful purposes.

Mr Larijani said the Russian plan was only a few lines long and was not well-thought out.

"It has serious flaws," he told national television.

He also warned of a "crushing" response if Iran's nuclear and military facilities were attacked by the US or Israel.