ID :
138156
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 13:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/138156
The shortlink copeid
Israeli threats against Iran nuclear plant just saber-rattling
TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has dismissed the Israeli threats of a military assault on the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
The Bushehr nuclear plant is on schedule to be loaded with nuclear fuel next week and any assault against it will receive a firm response, Mehmanparast said at his weekly press briefing on Tuesday.
He made the remarks in response to John R. Bolton, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, who told Fox News on Friday that the Bushehr power plant would become “immune” from an Israeli attack after it is loaded with nuclear fuel rods.
“Once the rods are in the reactor, an attack on the reactor risks spreading radiation in the air, and perhaps into the water of the Persian Gulf,” Bolton said.
All the required fuel will be loaded into the core of the reactor within a 3-4 week timeframe, Mehmanparast added.
He stated that Tehran welcomes cooperation with any country that offers to help Iran build nuclear reactors, as long as it has the necessary expertise.
He went on to say that Iran must construct at least 20 large-scale nuclear power plants in order to meet its growing electricity needs.
“We have defined our long-term needs. If we are to generate 20,000 megawatts of nuclear electricity, we need at least 20 power plants the size of the Bushehr plant,” he added.
Uranium enrichment to the 3.5 or 20 percent level is regarded as a peaceful nuclear activity, and thus is an inalienable right of all countries, Mehmanparast said.
He stated that Iran is only pursuing its legitimate rights and this should not overshadow the forthcoming nuclear negotiations with the Vienna group (the United States, Russia, France, and the International Atomic Energy Agency).
Elsewhere in his remarks, Mehmanparast said that many countries are opposed to the unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States and the European Union over its nuclear program.
Venezuela and a Russian firm have agreed to sell petrol to Iran, he added.
The Bushehr nuclear plant is on schedule to be loaded with nuclear fuel next week and any assault against it will receive a firm response, Mehmanparast said at his weekly press briefing on Tuesday.
He made the remarks in response to John R. Bolton, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, who told Fox News on Friday that the Bushehr power plant would become “immune” from an Israeli attack after it is loaded with nuclear fuel rods.
“Once the rods are in the reactor, an attack on the reactor risks spreading radiation in the air, and perhaps into the water of the Persian Gulf,” Bolton said.
All the required fuel will be loaded into the core of the reactor within a 3-4 week timeframe, Mehmanparast added.
He stated that Tehran welcomes cooperation with any country that offers to help Iran build nuclear reactors, as long as it has the necessary expertise.
He went on to say that Iran must construct at least 20 large-scale nuclear power plants in order to meet its growing electricity needs.
“We have defined our long-term needs. If we are to generate 20,000 megawatts of nuclear electricity, we need at least 20 power plants the size of the Bushehr plant,” he added.
Uranium enrichment to the 3.5 or 20 percent level is regarded as a peaceful nuclear activity, and thus is an inalienable right of all countries, Mehmanparast said.
He stated that Iran is only pursuing its legitimate rights and this should not overshadow the forthcoming nuclear negotiations with the Vienna group (the United States, Russia, France, and the International Atomic Energy Agency).
Elsewhere in his remarks, Mehmanparast said that many countries are opposed to the unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States and the European Union over its nuclear program.
Venezuela and a Russian firm have agreed to sell petrol to Iran, he added.
