Iran Criticizes Security Council, Insists Nuclear Program Is Peaceful

Ali Asghar Soltaniyeh (file photo) (epa) April 3, 2006 -- Iran has criticized the UN Security Council for trying to pressure it into halting its uranium-enrichment work, but pledged to keep cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Speaking on CNN on April 2, Ali Asghar Soltaniyeh, Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, said the more the Security Council is involved, the worse the situation will become. He said confrontation must be prevented.

The Security Council last week unanimously adopted a statement calling on Iran to freeze its uranium-enrichment work.

Soltaniyeh said Tehran does not intend to use its enrichment program for atomic bombs and that it is open to negotiation to resolve the dispute.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said today that Washington remains "committed" to pursuing a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

(AFP, Reuters)

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