Iran has announced that it hopes to resume limited nuclear activities at a uranium conversion facility despite opposition from the European Union and the US.
The country's Supreme National Security Council described as unacceptable a request by the UN to wait a week for surveillance equipment to be installed at the facility.
The statement was issued after the installation of the conservative politician, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as the country's new president.
Mr Ahmadinejad, 49, succeeds the reformist Mohammad Khatami after winning the presidential election in June.
After taking office, the new president pledged that his government would work for justice, devotion to Islam, and for the prosperity of the people of Iran.
He takes power amid international turmoil over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
Iran is edging closer to possible UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear programme, which Washington says is a smokescreen for building atomic bombs. Tehran, meanwhile, insists its ambitions are peaceful.
EU diplomats have been trying to get Iran to surrender its nuclear fuel work in return for economic incentives.
