Tuesday, August 22 2006 11:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Tehran: Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday (Aug 21, 2006) said that Tehran will press on with its nuclear work despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for a freeze, state television reported.

"The Islamic republic has made up its mind and on the nuclear program and other issues it will continue on its path with strength, with God's help," he was quoted as saying.

Iran is due to formally respond tomorrow to an offer by major powers proposing a package of incentives in return for a freeze in uranium enrichment, a process that can be developed to make nuclear weapons.

The UN Security Council has also given Iran until August 31 to halt enrichment and reprocessing activities or face possible sanctions.

"Arrogant powers, led by the United States, are fearful of progress of Islamic countries in various dimensions," Khamenei said.

"Therefore, in the nuclear issue, even though they know Iran is not seeking nuclear weapon, they are piling on the pressure to prevent our scientific progress as an Islamic Country," he said.