Iran on Sunday said it would not bow to European Union demands that it suspend activities at its Isfahan uranium processing plant again and said any talks with the EU on nuclear issues must be without preconditions.

"The resumption of the Isfahan plant's suspension is not part of our agenda and is out of the question for us," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told a news conference.

Iran resumed work at its Isfahan plant last month, a move which has led to the virtual collapse of two-year-long talks between the EU and Tehran and prompted EU officials to warn Iran its case may be sent to the U.N. Security Council this month.

Iran insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, not bomb-making.

"There are some efforts to restart Iran-EU talks. We want those talks to restart without any preconditions and we welcome them," Mottaki said.

PHOTO CAPTION

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki speaks during a news conference in Tehran September 11, 2005. (Reuters)