Iran Not To Reduce Its Centrifuges: Velayati

Tehran, Feb 25, IRNA – Iran has no plans to reduce the number of its centrifuges and will not shut Arak heavy water facility or fordow site, said head of Research Center of Iranˈs Expediency Council, Ali-Akbar Velayati. Velayati made the remarks during a joint press conference with visiting Director-General of Japan Institute of International Affairs, Yoshiji Nogami, on Monday in response to a question by IRNA correspondent about Iranˈs nuclear program as Iran and the P5+1 are negotiating to find a comprehensive solution to a decade-long stand-off over Tehranˈs nuclear project. Velayati, an advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on international affairs, said Iran will go ahead with its negotiations with the West but at the same time insists on its nuclear rights. Velayati hailed the conduct of nuclear talks by Iranian negotiating team. Through efforts of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his colleagues, the talks have reached a satisfactory point, Velayati said, adding, Iran has made no changes in its stands since the beginning of negotiations and the negotiating team is working within the frameworks of the Supreme Leaderˈs guidelines./end