Iran will pursue nukes 'at all costs'

"Iran wants to possess all the branches of nuclear technology, including enrichment, and it will do so at all costs," he said at the weekly Muslim prayers in Tehran.

"The Iranian nation ... considers itself strong enough to defend its rights, and not to let you (Europeans) impose any permanent suspension on uranium enrichment," said Rafsanjani, whose sermon was broadcast live on state radio.

"I am telling the Europeans that their current effort of dealing with the nuclear case under US pressure will not bear good results," said Rafsanjani.

"We will be patient and we will continue these lengthy and fruitless negotiations until you are persuaded that we are not seeking nuclear weapons," he said.

"I am talking to the Europeans and the US, and I am telling you that you are facing a strong Muslim nation, so instead of bullying us it is better to talk in order to remove ambiguities."

Both sides feel the nuclear negotiations are basically on hold until after the Iranian presidential elections in June, according to diplomats. Rafsanjani said Thursday he had still not decided whether to run in the polls.