Iran has rejected Japan's call to terminate its domestic uranium enrichment program, saying it has right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
During a two-hour meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso Monday in Tokyo, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran is engaged in research activity and halting resumption of uranium enrichment operations is impossible, Asahi Shimbun reported Tuesday.
"The exercise of that right would only further garner the mistrust of the international community. Japan asks Iran for a positive response," Aso said.
However, Mottaki said Iran had no intention of suspending its nuclear program.
The talks come a day after Tehran and Moscow agreed to jointly enrich uranium in Russia.
Details were not available on the conditions of the agreement. Iran's delegations are scheduled to visit Moscow within this week and discuss the issue with the Russian side to work out the details.
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