Iran is still ready to negotiate a solution to its nuclear stand-off with the West, but only on the condition that foreign powers agree to a fuel swap on Iranian territory, the foreign ministry said on Monday.

"We will not withdraw from our (nuclear) rights with threats and pressure, resolutions and sanctions," foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told Arab language TV Alalam.

Mehmanparast said that remained the condition for a deal and accused the other parties of reneging on their obligations.

"We told them that you are not honest and it seems like you do not want to provide (us) with the fuel and you are cheating," he said, according to Alalam's website.

"If they meet our conditions we are ready to negotiate about the provision of nuclear fuel for Tehran reactor right away , but we won't negotiate over Iran's nuclear activities," he said.

China, a major client for Iranian oil, has so far declined to publicly back renewed sanctions, after a direct appeal by U.S. President Barack Obama. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi called for "flexibility" when he met Iran's nuclear negotiator on Friday.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will announce a new nuclear achievement on Friday, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, told ISNA news agency. He gave no details.


Reuters