Iran won't surrender its atomic rights

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad struck a defiant tone yesterday two days ahead of key atomic talks with major powers, saying the Islamic state would not surrender its nuclear rights "even under the most difficult pressure".

Iran has promised to put forward "new initiatives" but has given no details.

"You should know that the Iranian nation is insisting on its fundamental rights and even under the most difficult pressure will not retreat even one iota from its rights," Ahmadinejad said of the upcoming talks, according to the official IRNA news agency.

The head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili will represent Tehran at the talks.