‘Membership in NPT safeguards Iran’s interests’

TEHRAN, Dec. 1 (MNA) -- Iran’s membership in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty safeguards the country’s interests, Supreme National Security Council Deputy Director Ali Baqeri said on Tuesday.


Baqeri, who is the SNSC deputy director for international affairs, made the remarks at a meeting with a number of Sharif University students.


Asked if Iran would withdraw from the NPT in response to the resolution issued against the country, he said the NPT provides a good channel through which Iran can interact with the International Atomic Energy Agency.


The IAEA Board of Governors, under pressure by the West, adopted a resolution against Iran on Friday. The resolution criticized Iran for beginning construction of a new uranium enrichment facility at Fordo and demanded that it immediately halt its construction.


Baqeri said Iran views the abstentions in the recent resolution as indirect votes against the resolution, and pointed out that if there had been 20 abstentions, the resolution would not have been passed.


Twenty-five members, including Russia and China, voted in favor of the resolution. Malaysia, which is the current president of the IAEA Board, Venezuela, and Cuba voted against the resolution, and Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Pakistan, South Africa, and Turkey abstained. Azerbaijan Republic missed the vote.


Model of centrifuges more important than quantity


Commenting on Iran’s centrifuges, Baqeri said they are being improved and the model of the centrifuges is more important than their quantity.


Of course, the Natanz uranium enrichment facility was designed to eventually accommodate over 50,000 centrifuges, he added.


He also said that Iran’s need for uranium has been met through its two mines and uranium imports.