Iran warns against treading on its rights

TEHRAN, May 3 (UPI) -- The six nations trying to resolve Iran's nuclear issues must be careful not to violate its right to civilian nuclear energy, Iran's foreign minister says.

Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters Saturday he informed British Foreign Secretary David Miliband that Britain and the other nations need to be cautious with any proposals to Iran regarding its nuclear aspirations.

"I told him in response: you know very well which word is forbidden in Iran. Be careful in your proposals to avoid crossing the forbidden line," Mottaki said, without revealing what he meant by the "forbidden word."

RIA Novosti reported that local observers interpreted Mottaki's comment to mean that requiring Iran suspend its uranium enrichment program was off the table.

Mottaki said Iran will soon lay out its own "package of proposals" to resolve international issues, the Russian news agency reported.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Saturday representatives of the six nations who met in London Friday -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany -- had not discussed any new sanctions against Iran.

"There was no talk about new sanctions, although our American colleagues believe that pressure on Iran should be preserved," he told reporters.