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Global

Iran has clear "red lines" in nuclear talks


    TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran has "clearly-defined red lines" in any talks with major powers on its disputed nuclear programme, its highest authority said on Wednesday, making clear the country would not give up its atomic activities.

    Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking three daysbefore Iran's chief nuclear negotiator is due to meet EuropeanUnion foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Geneva, also saidthe Islamic Republic would cut off the hand of any aggressor.

    Iran is embroiled in a deepening international standoffover its nuclear programme, which the United States and Israelsuspect is aimed at making bombs, a charge Tehran denies.

    Six world powers last month offered Iran economic and otherincentives to try to persuade it to halt uranium enrichment,which can have both civilian and military uses.

    Iranian officials have repeatedly refused to suspendactivity which can provide fuel for nuclear power plants butalso material for weapons if enriched much more.

    Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil exporter, says itsnuclear programme is solely aimed at generating electricity.

    "This (nuclear) achievement belongs to all the Iraniannation and no power would be able to deprive the Iranian nationof this technology and certain right," Khamenei said.

    "In relation to negotiations ... we have very clearlydefined red lines," he said in a speech quoted by state radio.

    Iranian officials have previously said uranium enrichmentwas a "red line" and would continue.

    The standoff over Iran's nuclear activities has sparkedspeculation of a military confrontation with the United Statesor Israel and helped push up oil prices to record levels.

    Iran has vowed to strike back at Tel Aviv, as well as U.S.interests and shipping, if it is attacked.

    "The hand that would attack the Islamic Republic of Iranwill be cut off," Khamenei said.

    (Reporting by Hashem Kalantari; Writing by Fredrik Dahl;Editing by Giles Elgood)