Nuclear work will continue: Iran official

The UNSC demanded that Iran end nuclear activities including uranium enrichment by August 31 or face possible sanctions.

Iran will not stop its controversial nuclear work despite a UN resolution calling for a halt by month's end, the Islamic republic's deputy foreign minister has told Latin American television.

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"None of these measures can force Iran to put aside its peaceful activities to obtain nuclear technology," Deputy Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mohammadi told Telesur television, according to a Spanish translation of the interview with the regional broadcaster.

"The Islamic republic will resist without a problem," Mohammadi said on Saturday.

The UN Security Council demanded Monday that Iran end nuclear activities including uranium enrichment by August 31 or face possible sanctions.

Hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday vowed that Iran would not bow to "force and threats."

The West suspects Iran's nuclear program hides efforts to build a nuclear bomb, although Tehran says its work is for peaceful purposes.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visited Iran last week during a nine-country tour that ended on Thursday.