Iranian leader pledges to "strongly defend nuclear rights"

Tehran Iran will "strongly defend" its nuclear rights and reject any form of discrimination in that area, said Iranian President Hassan Rohani. He stated this in a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister David Cameron, ahead of today's continuation of Geneva talks on Iran's controversial nuclear program, held between Iran and the so-called P-5 Plus 1 group - the U.S., France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany. Iranian leader pledges to "strongly defend nuclear rights" "As Iran is adamant that its nuclear activities are peaceful, it will strongly defend its rights on nuclear issues. We will not accept any discrimination in this area," Rohani told Cameron on Tuesday, the news agency Irna reported. He added that the language of respect should replace the language of threats and sanctions. Iran's economy is feeling the effects of international sanctions imposed over its nuclear program, which Western countries suspect is aimed at producing atomic weapons. Rohani also spoke by phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and told him that Iran wants to reach an agreement which would preserve its rights and show that Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful, Irna added. Rohani urged China to act against the excessive demands of certain countries, referring to France, which during the recent negotiations in November managed to sharpen the wording of an agreement prepared by the United States and Iran. Iran then refused to sign the final text. (Beta/AP, file) Beta

Iranian leader pledges to "strongly defend nuclear rights"

"As Iran is adamant that its nuclear activities are peaceful, it will strongly defend its rights on nuclear issues. We will not accept any discrimination in this area," Rohani told Cameron on Tuesday, the news agency Irna reported.

He added that the language of respect should replace the language of threats and sanctions.

Iran's economy is feeling the effects of international sanctions imposed over its nuclear program, which Western countries suspect is aimed at producing atomic weapons.

Rohani also spoke by phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and told him that Iran wants to reach an agreement which would preserve its rights and show that Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful, Irna added.

Rohani urged China to act against the excessive demands of certain countries, referring to France, which during the recent negotiations in November managed to sharpen the wording of an agreement prepared by the United States and Iran.

Iran then refused to sign the final text.