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Iran to continue centrifuge work but ready for talks
Last Updated(Beijing Time):2012-02-16 20:09

Teheran would not suspend its building of centrifuges, but was ready for talks with the six international mediators, Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mahmoud Reza Sajjadi said Thursday.

"We are 100 percent ready for talks with the Iran Six (the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany) in order to have a clear answer from all parties," Sajjadi told reporters, but he said a suspension of its work on centrifuges was unacceptable and the talks should be resumed without any preconditions.

The diplomat also warned that Teheran would respond with "massive means" if the United States attacked Iran.

"Iran does not fear any military actions from any country, who would repent of its actions (against Iran)," he said.

Tension between Iran and the West has been simmering, with the latter accusing Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons through its enrichment program, a charge rejected by the Islamic republic.

The United States and its European allies also have expanded their sanctions against Iran to target its oil exports, the lifeline of the country's economy. The action prompted threats by Iran to block the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil routes.

Sajjadi told the briefing the sanctions against Iran only benefited his country, which in the past had been heavily dependent on imported fuel due to restricted refining capacity.

Sajjadi also denied any presence of Iranian troops in Syria. Such information was aimed at weakening both Iran and Syria, he said, adding Syria did not need Iran's special troops.

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Source:Xinhua 
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