Iran's top nuclear negotiator holds talks in Moscow; Khamenei vows Iran will continue its nuclear activities

Ali Larijani will meet with Russian Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov, the agency said.

Following Iran's refusal to halt uranium enrichment, European powers have proposed a draft UN Security Council resolution on sanctions against the country, which the United States wants toughened, but which Russia and China want reduced.

Iran has been at the center of an international controversy over its uranium enrichment work, which some countries suspect is a cover for a nuclear weapons program.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that the working visit to Moscow of another Iranian diplomat for talks on the nuclear issue has been postponed. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was expected to visit the Russian capital on November 9-10.

Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader announced on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic would continue to push ahead with its controversial nuclear program despite the heavy costs it may entail.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said at a gathering in the northern city of Semnan that Iran had an "inalienable right" to obtain nuclear capabilities. Parts of his speech were aired on state television.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has the strength to bring about this unalienable national right, without needing others' assistance or reaching out for other countries' support," he said.

Despite efforts at the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution punishing Iran over its decision not to suspend uranium enrichment, Khamenei insisted that the international community overwhelmingly supported Iran's nuclear defiance and opposed the West's current nuclear "monopoly."

"Contrary to the West's propaganda and ballyhoo, the enemies of the Iranian nation, including the United States, are in a weaker position than they were 10 to 15 years ago. The U.S.'s defeat in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and Afghanistan indicate this reality," he said.

"The American government used all its resources and went as far as feigningly accepting the formation of the Palestinian government in order for the Zionist regime to be free of encounters from the Palestinian people; however, the government which is today in power in Palestine does not recognise the legitimacy of the Zionist enemy and is not willing to negotiate with it. This shows the U.S.'s absolute defeat in Palestine," the Supreme Leader added.

Khamenei stated that Iran had successfully "exported" its Islamic Revolution to other Muslim nations.

"The Iranian nation has in reality exported its revolution and is continuing its honourable path with strength, activity, and reliance on the young, intellectual, and aware generation. The Global Arrogance (U.S.) has been forced to retreat in the face of this great nation," he added, Iran Focus reports.