Iran refuses latest nuclear incentive plan

TEHRAN, May 5 (UPI) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said Monday Tehran would refuse any incentives meant to persuade Iran to halt uranium enrichment.

The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, along with Germany, agreed on a new set of incentives Friday meant to entice Iran into giving up its nuclear ambitions.

Tehran repeatedly said it would negotiate trade or other economic concessions only with the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"Incentives that in any way violate our interests or rights will not be examined by us," Hosseini said. "There has been no change in our position."

Meanwhile, Supreme Leader of the Iran Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said no amount of external pressure would cause Iran to stray from its ambitions, the FARS news agency reported.

"No threat can hinder the Iranian nation from its path," he said.