Wednesday, April 26 2006 10:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Tehran: A defiant and threatening Iran said yesterday (Apr 25, 2006) it would hide its nuclear programme if the West took 'harsh measures' after this week's UN Security Council deadline for Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment.

Beyond that, Iran openly offered to transfer nuclear technology to other countries, including chaos-ridden Sudan.

Ali Larijani, the top Iranian nuclear negotiator, also renewed the country's vow to end cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and said increasing pressure on Iran would only stiffen its resolve.

"If you take harsh measures, we will hide this programme. If you use the language of force, you should not expect us to act transparently," Larijani said, adding that western countries on the IAEA board have to understand they cannot resolve this issue through force.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was visiting Greece and Turkey, fired back almost immediately.

"Iranians can threaten, but they are deepening their own isolation," she said.

Top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued the offer to transfer nuclear technology as he met with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

"Iran's nuclear capability is one example of various scientific capabilities in the country. The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to transfer the experience, knowledge and technology of its scientists," Khamenei told al-Bashir.