TEHERAN: Iran threatened yesterday to resume uranium enrichment if the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approves a draft resolution rebuking it for inadequate co-operation with UN inspectors.

"I am not saying we will do something particular, but if this resolution passes, Iran will have no moral commitment to suspend uranium enrichment," President Mohammad Khatami, in his toughest warning yet to the UN nuclear watchdog, told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

But Khatami balanced his tough line with assurances that Iran's nuclear aims are peaceful and that Teheran has no intention of kicking out UN inspectors.

The United States accused Iran of trying to intimidate the IAEA. Britain, France and Germany have drafted a resolution that "deplores" Iran's "poor co-operation" with UN inspectors, and the IAEA board of governors are discussing it in Vienna this week. The resolution has incensed Teheran.

The board could take a formal position on the text as early as today, diplomats said.

Iran says it wants to produce low-grade enriched uranium to use as fuel in nuclear power reactors. But Washington and many European states fear Iran could use enrichment technology to produce highly-enriched, bomb-grade uranium.

Khatami said such fears were baseless. "We have never intended to enrich uranium more than 3.5 per cent and have no intention of using nuclear technology for military use," Khatami said.

Hossein Mousavian, who heads Iran's delegation at the IAEA meeting, blamed Washington for the pressure being heaped on Teheran, saying the Americans" have put a lot of pressure in order to politicize the Iranian issue."

In Istanbul, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) yesterday expressed support to Iran's nuclear programme for peaceful purposes.

In a communique released after a three-day foreign ministers meeting, the OIC reaffirmed the inalienable rights of its member states to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The Islamic group welcomed Iran's signing the additional protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, said the communique, adding that Iran has continued its co-operation IAEA.

The OIC also expressed concerns over the US economic sanctions imposed on Syria, calling on the United States to reconsider its decision which is against international principles and laws.

(China Daily 06/17/2004 page1)