Iran to uphold nuclear achievements: Cleric

Iran will by no means retreat from its nuclear achievements as they are about indigenous "peaceful" nuclear technology developed by Iranian scientists, a senior Iranian cleric said Friday.

Local experts managed to indigenise the nuclear technology by " self-reliance, diligence and constant efforts" without the help of foreigners, Xinhua quoted Tehran's interim Friday prayers leader Ayatollah Kazem Seddiqi as telling media.

Addressing prayers in Tehran, Seddiqi said the country's success in using nuclear technology for diverse "peaceful" purposes has strengthened the Iranians' resolve and provided a sense of self-esteem in Iran.

Iran will never retreat from its nuclear achievements, nor will shut down a single nuclear facility in the country, he said, echoing recent remarks by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Earlier this month Khamenei said Iran would never allow its " scientific nuclear move" to be brought to a halt. "None of the country's nuclear achievements could be shut down, and nobody has the right to bargain over them."

Under an interim deal reached in Geneva last November, Iran agreed to suspend some controversial nuclear activities starting from Jan. 20, while Western states started to lift some sanctions.