Iran ready for talks, needs concrete guarantee for fuel supply

Tehran, Nov 24, IRNA – Iran needs concrete guarantee for supplying nuclear fuel for its research reactor in Tehran, a senior national security official said on Tuesday.

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Saeed Jalili made the remarks while speaking on the sidelines of a police and security gathering in Tehran.

”If necessary guarantees are not given to Iran, the country will have other options,” Jalili said, noting that if some (countries) fail to timely provide necessary fuel for Iran’s research reactor based on the country’s will, then “it will add to Iranians' distrust in them.”

“Providing nuclear fuel for Tehran’s research reactor is not a political issue and has nothing to do with Iran’s talks with the group 5+1 member states,” said the official.

Providing the fuel “is only a business matter and is not even a technical or legal issue,” he pointed out.

As for Iran’s position on resumption of nuclear talks with the group 5+1 member states, Jalili said, “Tehran is ready to talk about its proposed package” presented to the Western states during last month’s talks in Vienna, Austria.

He further stated that Tehran was willing to continue its talks with Western states only “over the subjects discussed in its proposed package.”

Referring to the latest talks between the two sides in Geneva, Jalili said, “The talks were scheduled to be followed up over the issues discussed in Tehran’s proposed package.”

“They (G5+1) have, apparently, faced some discussions among themselves and are not ready now,” Jalili said, adding, “Whenever they are ready to continue talks on Iran’s package of proposals, then we will welcome talking about the common concerns discussed in the package.”/end