Wednesday, February 1 2006 15:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Tehran: Iran will cease cooperating with the UN nuclear watchdog if it refers the country's nuclear dossier to the Security Council, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said.

"There is no difference between informing the Security Council and referring (the case) to it," Mottaki said yesterday(Jan 31,2006).

"In either case, if the dossier is sent to the Security Council, Iran will cease voluntary cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) from Saturday February 4." Motakki also reiterated Iran's insistence that it would carry on with its renewed nuclear research.

"We have told everyone with whom we have discussed this that there is no question of our re-suspending our nuclear research activities. That is irreversible. It must be stated that nuclear research is different than industrial production of combustible material." The five permanent Security Council members agreed in London overnight to take Iran's case to New York after the country resumed sensitive nuclear fuel research work and deepened fears the clerical regime could acquire the atom bomb.

A referral is likely to come during an emergency meeting of the IAEA 35-nation board of governors, which begins tomorrow. In a compromise with Russia, the powers agreed to put off UN action until at least March.

Mottaki said that any decision to involve the Security Council could affect the 'Russian plan,' under which Iran is being urged to agree to conduct any enrichment activities in Russia.