TEHRAN, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iran Monday said it will continue to pursue its nuclear rights and urged world powers to interact with the Islamic Republic to resolve its nuclear issue.

    "The policy of imposing sanctions (on Iran) is futile and nothing could stop Iran from pursuing its legitimate rights," said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi at his weekly press conference.

    "It is the right time for the other parties to reconsider their confronting policy towards Iran and to adopt a policy of interaction with the country," he said.

    Qashqavi reiterated that Tehran would continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) within the framework of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

    Referring to the upcoming report on Iran's nuclear issue by IAEA director Mohamed ElBaradei, Qashqavi said the IAEA should refrain from pursuing a political approach.

    ElBaradei is expected to present his report within the coming days to the agency's governors, who will begin their next meeting on Sept. 7 in Vienna, Austria.

    U.S. President Barack Obama has set a late September deadline for Tehran to initiate multilateral talks over its disputed nuclear issue, or face further sanctions.

    Washington has been trying to beef up its sanctions on Tehran for Iran's involvement in anti-U.S. activities and allegedly secret development of nuclear weapons.

    Iran denied these charges and insisted its nuclear program is for generating electricity only.