ID :
157071
Thu, 01/13/2011 - 13:46
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/157071
The shortlink copeid
Istanbul talks may be West’s last chance, Tehran says
TEHRAN, Jan. 13 (MNA) – Iran’s Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency Ali Asghar Soltanieh advised the West to grasp the “historic opportunity” of the upcoming talks with Iran, implying that the talks could be the major powers’ last chance.
Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany are scheduled to hold talks in Istanbul on January 21 and 22.
“By installing fuel rods produced by Iran in the core of the Tehran research reactor, probably the Majlis (the Iranian parliament) will not allow the government once again to negotiate or send its uranium to Turkey or other countries,” Soltanieh told reporters on Wednesday.
“If it happens, Iran will continue to produce (nuclear fuel),” he said.
Based on the Tehran Declaration signed between Iran, Turkey, and Brazil on May 17 Iran was to ship 1200 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey to be exchanged for 120 kilograms of 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel rods to power the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer treatment.
Soltanieh went to say that the planned meeting in Istanbul will be a “historic opportunity” for the Western governments to come back to the negotiating table. “The time is not passing in their favor and they should seize this opportunity.”
He also commented on Iran’s defense policy, saying nuclear weapons have no place in the country’s defense doctrine and Iran is strongly opposed to the proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction.
“Any move aimed at acquiring nuclear weapons is a strategic mistake and will undermine the national security and interests,” he noted.
The senior diplomat emphasized again that uranium enrichment for peaceful applications under the supervision of the IAEA is Iran’s inalienable right and Iranian officials will never negotiate or compromise on these rights.
Earlier, Acting Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi had said that Iran would be able to produce its own fuel material for the Tehran reactor later this year, making any swap deal “lose its meaning.”
Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany are scheduled to hold talks in Istanbul on January 21 and 22.
“By installing fuel rods produced by Iran in the core of the Tehran research reactor, probably the Majlis (the Iranian parliament) will not allow the government once again to negotiate or send its uranium to Turkey or other countries,” Soltanieh told reporters on Wednesday.
“If it happens, Iran will continue to produce (nuclear fuel),” he said.
Based on the Tehran Declaration signed between Iran, Turkey, and Brazil on May 17 Iran was to ship 1200 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey to be exchanged for 120 kilograms of 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel rods to power the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer treatment.
Soltanieh went to say that the planned meeting in Istanbul will be a “historic opportunity” for the Western governments to come back to the negotiating table. “The time is not passing in their favor and they should seize this opportunity.”
He also commented on Iran’s defense policy, saying nuclear weapons have no place in the country’s defense doctrine and Iran is strongly opposed to the proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction.
“Any move aimed at acquiring nuclear weapons is a strategic mistake and will undermine the national security and interests,” he noted.
The senior diplomat emphasized again that uranium enrichment for peaceful applications under the supervision of the IAEA is Iran’s inalienable right and Iranian officials will never negotiate or compromise on these rights.
Earlier, Acting Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi had said that Iran would be able to produce its own fuel material for the Tehran reactor later this year, making any swap deal “lose its meaning.”
