Top cleric says Iran will not heed Security Council demand

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Apr. 28 – Iran’s former President Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said in Tehran that the Islamic Republic would not abandon its nuclear projects, hours before the end of a 30-day deadline set by the United Nations Security Council for Tehran to cease all its uranium enrichment activities. Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Apr. 28 – Iran’s former President Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said in Tehran that the Islamic Republic would not abandon its nuclear projects, hours before the end of a 30-day deadline set by the United Nations Security Council for Tehran to cease all its uranium enrichment activities.

“No one can stop [Iran acquiring”> indigenous knowledge”, Rafsanjani, who chairs the State Expediency Council, told worshippers during his Friday prayers sermon.

“Be careful and cautious and think about the consequences of your actions”, Rafsanjani warned the United States.

“I seriously insist, do not trouble yourselves, us, and the region. Avoid actions that would create trouble”, he said, adding that the West should return to the negotiations table.

In March, the Security Council adopted a “Presidential Statement” unanimously giving Iran until April 28 to suspend all of its uranium enrichment activities and resume its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

On Friday, hard-line Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran “does not give a damn” about the demands of the Security Council.