Iran has 'legitimate right' to nuclear tech

Iran agreed in November last year to suspend its fuel cycle work -- the focus of international fears the country may be seeking nuclear weapons -- and open talks with Britain, France and Germany.

Kharazi's comments in an interview with Time, published Sunday, but conducted last week, supported repeated comments from Tehran that it will resume uranium enrichment work if an agreement is not reached with the European Union.

Iran said Sunday it was preparing a bill to ratify a key nuclear protocol but also stood firm on its intention to resume sensitive nuclear fuel work despite intense international pressure.