Tehran  - Iran said Monday it would not change its nuclear course despite an updated incentive offer by world powers to persuade Tehran to suspend its uranium enrichment programme.

"We have several times made clear that there will be no change in our (nuclear) course," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said in a press briefing in Tehran.

Foreign ministers of the United Nations Security Council's permanent members and Germany, meeting in London Friday, worked out an offer updating a similar move made by the group in June 2006, which outlined the possibilities of technical assistance if Iran gives up its uranium enrichment programme.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who constitutionally has the final say on all state affairs, said Sunday that Iran should not allow any world power to deprive the country of its legitimate rights, adding that there should not be any fear of renewed sanctions either.

The leader's remarks indicated that Iran would reject the new incentives - even before the offer reaches Tehran - because of the suspension demand.

The five veto powers and Germany consider enrichment suspension as the main condition to resume talks with Iran, but Tehran has so far vehemently rejected this.

Iran has always insisted that its nuclear programme is intended purely for civil electricity generation and in line with all international regulations, and not - as feared by the West - for developing a nuclear weapon.

Spokesman Hosseini said the new offer has not yet reached Iran.

On the new package which Iran was soon to forward to the world powers, the spokesman said that Tehran believed the current world order could not secure equality in the world and so could not lead to peace and tranquillity. He said Iran's new initiative was aimed at amending the global status quo. (dpa)