Ali Larijani, the Islamic republic's top nuclear negotiator, said on Sunday that Iran will not freeze nuclear research, even if it is confronted with the U.N. Security Council. He also stated that Iran does not intend to use oil as a weapon of manipulation in the dispute over the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"Research and development is in our national interest and Iran will not go back on that. Going to the Security Council will certainly not make Iran go back on research and development," Larijani stated.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has scheduled a meeting today, in Vienna, to discuss the Iran's nuclear situation, deciding on whether it should refer to the U.N. Security Council for economical and political sanctions.

Iran is currently in the process of experimental research, needing months to start a large-scale activity. Larijani forwarded a final proposal to find a solution, saying "we are ready to agree to a timetable on (large-scale uranium) enrichment."

"Nuclear research and development is part of Iran's national interests and sovereignty and won't give it up," he added.

However, a timetable is insufficient, the U.S. and the European powers saying that Iran must halt all the activities related to enrichment and show cooperation with the IEAE. Last week, Iran and Russia held talks regarding Russia's offer to host the uranium enrichment, but no clear decision was made. Iran is accused of trying to develop nuclear weapons, Iran criticizing U.S.'s double standard nuclear policy.

Hamid Reza Asefi, Foreign Ministry spokesman, stated: "The United States' approach is a form of double standards. It signed a contract with a country that was not a member of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. That is objectionable. On the other hand, it approaches Iran in such a (bad) way."