Iran Press Service

TEHRAN, 2 Oct. (IPS) Iran on Saturday officially denied that President Mahmoud Ahmadi Nezhad had granted an interview to the Dubai-based newspaper Khaleej Times.

In the interview, published on Friday 30 September, the English-language newspaper quoted the new Iranian President as having threatened to use oil as a weapon in case under pressures from both the United States and Europe, Iran's controversial nuclear issue is sent to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions.

Such a claim (exclusive interview with Mr. Ahmadi Nezjad) is nothing more than a mere fabrication

The interview, claimed by Khaleej Times to be "exclusive" also said Mr. Ahmadi Nezhad had further warned that in such a case, Iran would also stop international nuclear inspectors visiting Iranian nuclear installations and sites.

In an official statement, the Media Department of the presidency rejected the interview as "fabricated" and informed that President Ahmadi Nezhad had "never had an interview, either oral or written, with Khaleej Times'.

"Such a claim is nothing more than a mere fabrication, so we call all domestic media to be aware and show vigilance in dealing with propaganda plots hatched by foreign media", the Press Department of the President said about the interview that had a wide international coverage.

But the paper's Editor, Prem Chandran, stood by the article, saying the interview was obtained by a free lance journalist, Nihal Kamel, had presented herself as a reporter with the Riyadh-based Arab News, and not as a Khaleej Times reporter.

However, Mr. Chandran nor Ms. Kamel did not specified when and where the interview had taken place and on the other hand, the presidential denial did not say Mr. Ahmadi Nezhad talked to the reporter or not?

In a Resolution approved by a large majority of its 35 members Board of Directors, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency urged the Islamic Republic to stop all its nuclear activities and honour engagements taken last November with Britain, France and Germany or face the UN's Security Council.

In response, Iran said it would continue efforts to master full nuclear cycle and threatened to stop adhering to the Additional Protocol of the Non Proliferation Treaty if its case is sent to the UN for possible sanctions.

The interview was obtained by free lance journalist,Nihal Kamel of the Arab News and not as a Khaleej Times reporter.

At the same time, senior Iranian nuclear negotiators said Tehran would continue stalemated talks with the three European nations as well as taking on board other countries as well.

Iranian political analysts said usually new Iranian presidents or senior officials reserve their first interviews to major international media. However, they pointed out, t is also a habit with Iranian leaders to deny interviews they give to foreign media which creates uproars in the country, stating usually that they have been "misquoted" etc..ENDS KHALEEJ TIMES 21005