Iran has not abandoned its right to enrich uranium as the suspension agreed with the U.N. nuclear agency is for a limited period, Iran's top nuclear official, Hassan Rowhani, said Tuesday. Speaking to reporters, Rowhani hailed the resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday which authorized IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei to monitor Iran's commitment to freeze uranium enrichment activities. "The suspension (of enrichment activities) will be limited to the negotiation period with Europe and not beyond. In case negotiations cease or are unsuccessful, there will not be any sort of suspension," he added. "Iran has never pursued the production of nuclear weapons and it will never do that," Rowhani said.
