AFP
Friday, December 15, 2006

Iran's top nuclear official warned Western powers on Friday they would face "painful measures" by the Islamic republic if sanctions were imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme.
"If the aim of the West is to erode our will by depriving us of our nuclear rights, we will have to employ painful measures against the West," Ali Larijani told reporters.

"If they want to use the weapon of threats, they will have to expect pressure in return," he added.

The head of parliament's foreign affairs committee, Alaedin Boroujerdi earlier said Tehran could curb inspections of its atomic facilities by the UN nuclear watchdog if sanctions were imposed.

The comments came amid intensive meetings by six major powers to reach a consensus to adopt UN sanctions against Iran over its refusal to freeze nuclear fuel work.