An Iranian government spokesman said the country's nuclear program remains unchanged, indicating that Tehran has no plans to stop enriching uranium. Gholan-Hossein Elham's comments to reporters Saturday come a day after Iran sent a response to an international proposal to curb its program in exchange for economic incentives.

The contents of the response have not been made public. But Elham's insistence that Iran's program remains unchanged indicates that Tehran is refusing to meet the West's key demand that it stop enrichment.

"Iran will not go back on its rights on the nuclear issue," Elham said. "The will of the Iranian people is firm and will continue to follow the principles defined by the supreme guide (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei)," the spokesman said at a weekly news conference.

"Iran insists on negotiations (with world powers) while respecting its rights and avoiding any loss of international rights," he said, referring to Tehran's refusal to give up on nuclear enrichment.

Elham said his country was prepared to hold talks "especially with the 5+1 Group" of the UN Security Council members plus Germany "on the common points in the Iranian package and the offer of the world powers."

© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)