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Iran seeks to head off calls for tougher sanctions

Iran tried on Friday night to weaken support for increased U.N. sanctions over its nuclear activities by calling for renewed cooperation with the international community after fresh negotiations made no progress on the issue of stopping uranium enrichment. Saeed Jalili, head of Iran’s National Security Council, was defiant after five hours of talks in London with Javier Solana, the E.U.’s foreign policy chief.

“When it comes to defending the interests of the Iranian people, we respect international law,” he said. “We do not bother ourselves with the wishes of various parties.” Tougher sanctions would make no difference, he said.

Mr. Solana, looking tense, said in a separate statement: “I expected more and, therefore, I am disappointed.”

No progress was made on the demand that Tehran halt enrichment.

Far from giving ground, Mr. Jalili demanded an apology for allegations made about his country’s nuclear intentions which he claimed had been disproved by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog. — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2007

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