Iran's foreign minister vowed that Tehran would press on with its controversial nuclear programme despite a call by the UN Security Council to suspend its activities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki speaks to journalists during a joint press conference with Guinean Foreign Minister Fatoumata Kaba Sidibe (not in picture) in Tehran. Mottaki vowed that Tehran would press on with its controversial nuclear programme despite a call by the UN Security Council to suspend its activities. [AFP]

"The Islamic republic started its peaceful activities to obtain its rights under the NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) and these activities will go on under the supervision of the (International Atomic Energy) Agency," Manouchehr Mottaki told a press conference.

Iran has refused to comply with a Security Council demand to freeze uranium enrichment, defying a warning from major world powers which fear that the Islamic republic secretly wants to develop an atomic bomb.

A non-binding statement approved unanimously by the world body on March 29 gave Iran 30 days to abandon the sensitive nuclear work, but without issuing a threat of sanctions.

Mottaki condemned Iran's referral to the Security Council as a "political decision which, unfortunately, shows that the logic of domination has taken the upper hand over reason ...

"There are two paths available to us: that of understanding, cooperation, dialogue and work within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and that of confrontation.

"The Islamic republic prefers the former," he said.

Iran has refused to freeze its nuclear research and development -- which includes uranium enrichment -- that it resumed in January, insisting on nuclear technology for peaceful purposes as its right.

Mottaki reiterated that Iran would not be using oil as a weapon in its nuclear standoff with the West.

"Energy and the security of energy are important for the producer and the consumer, the Islamic republic is committed to its oil contracts and to supplying energy to its commercial partners".