‘We have said everything in our response. I think the time to use the instrument of the Security Council has expired,’ he told reporters, referring to an Iranian answer to a Western package of incentives over its nuclear programme.

‘I see it as unlikely that they want to use it (the Security Council). Using nuclear energy is Iran’s right and we want to use it according to international law.’

The UN Security Council has given Iran an August 31 deadline to suspend all uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities. Iran has insisted it has no intention of abandoning such work.

‘I think that the opportunity that Iran has given Europeans is extremely exceptional for fairly resolving all issues. Of course, that is if they are interested in justice and I hope they will be,’  said Ahmadinejad.