IRAN: Government is defiant
published: Friday | July 14, 2006

TEHRAN, (REUTERS):

IRAN SAID yesterday it would not abandon its right to nuclear technology in a defiant statement after Tehran's case was sent back to the U.N. Security Council over its atomic dispute with the West.

But U.S. President George W. Bush kept up the pressure saying Tehran could not "wait us out" and Germany warned "other steps" would be necessary if Tehran did not respond to a package to rein in its atomic work.

Five Permanent Security Council members, the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China, plus Germany backed a package calling for Iran to halt uranium enrichment in return for economic and diplomatic incentives. But on Wednesday they asked the council to intervene after Tehran failed to reply.