Iran will continue its nuclear fuel activities despite strong international call to halt the controversial program, chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said on Sunday.

"Producing nuclear fuel is Iran's strategic goal," Larijani told Iranian media.

He said Iran will not yield to external pressures to give up the nuclear project.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is aimed at generating power, but the U.S. and some European allies fear that Tehran could veer to the production of atomic bombs.

The U.N. Security Council asks Iran to halt its uranium enrichment activity by August 31, or face possible sanctions.

Source: Xinhua