Tehran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani has declared "The aim of our negotiation with Russia and the EU was to preserve and maintain the research we have started, and in an appropriate way preserve the rights of all Iranians.”
The comments followed last ditch talks in Vienna with major European Union powers on Friday.
Mr Larijani requested the talks but failed to convince them that Iran’s nuclear program is not ploy to create an atom bomb.
Germany’s foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned that time is running out.
"If we want success we have to act now," said Mr Steinmeier.
The United States and European Union insist Iran must halt all enrichment of uranium, a process that can produce material for civilian nuclear reactor, or a bomb.
Iran, so far, is insisting on some enrichment even if only on a small-scale research level.
"There is no way Iran will give up its right to enrichment, because it is a sovereign right," Mr Larijani said.
Referring to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting scheduled for Monday, he added: "The perception that the Iranians will give up their right is wrong, because all the Iranians are supporting their right.”
"There are signs that some countries are ready to solve the question by allowing Iran to pursue research, but of course the US is against this."
The Vienna talks, which also included Britain, France and EU foreign policy supremo Javier Solana, were held "in a constructive atmosphere, but finally we were unable to reach agreement," Mr Steinmeier said.
They form part of a frenetic diplomatic flurry by Iran ahead of the meeting Monday of the UN watchdog IAEA, which is to send an assessment of Iran's nuclear program to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.