Iran not concerned about U.N. deadline over disputed nuclear program

Monday, August 28th 2006, 8:37 am

By: News On 6

TEHRAN, Iran (AP)_ Iran said Monday it is not concerned about this week's U.N. deadline demanding it suspend a key part of its disputed nuclear program or face political and economic sanctions.

The U.N. Security Council has given Iran until Thursday to suspend a key part of its nuclear program _ the enrichment of uranium, a process that can produce either fuel for a reactor or material for weapons.

But Iran has refused any immediate suspension, calling the deadline as illegal.

``Moving in the international framework is not a matter of concern for us,'' said government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham.

Iran last week responded to Western incentives package aimed at getting Tehran to roll back its nuclear program. Iranian officials said the Islamic country did not agree to halt enrichment _ the key demand _ before engaging in further talks. Other details have not been released.

Iran says its nuclear program is intended solely to generate electricity, while the United States and Europe contend it secretly aims to develop weapons.