Deputy FM Views UNSC Resolution on Iran as Illegal

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Deputy Foreign Minister for Consulate and Parliamentary Affairs Hamid Reza Asefi described the UN Security Council Resolution 1737 on Iran’s nuclear activities as an illegal, unacceptable and irrational move.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an open session of the Islamic Consultative Assembly here on Wednesday, Asefi pointed to a parliament approval which requires the government to reconsider relations and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and accelerate nuclear activities, and said, “The resolution required a proper response from the side of Iran.”

“We did expect from the very beginning that if the UNSC member states gave in to the US pressures and treated our case irrationally, then the atmosphere would grow unconstructive, which unfortunately that came true,” he continued.

The diplomat further pointed out that resolution 1737 has been ratified to serve two goals, and added, “Firstly, deterring Iran’s nuclear activities and secondly launching a psychological war against Iran.”

He also reminded that approval of the bill on revision of Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA at the parliament and with a high number of votes reveals the tight cooperation and solidarity of the Islamic Consultative Assembly with the government, and continued, “This close cooperation provides the different executive bodies of the country with an opportunity to activate and extend their potentials for enrichment purposes, while it also shows to the outside world that if they treat the Islamic Republic of Iran with the language of threat and force and if they choose to deal with Iran through illegal, irrational and arrogant measures, they will have to face Iran’s decisive response.”

Asked about the negative impacts of the UNSC Resolution 1737 on world economy, Asefi reminded that the resolution has been watered down to a large extent and that it is not at all what the US and the Zionist lobbies were seeking, adding, “The resolution calls for sanctions on missile-related and non-civilian nuclear programs and parts, while Iran has always announced that it is not pursuing such goals. Meantime, no other state has ever provided Iran with such parts or technologies, and thus, it won’t have any effects on either Iran or world economy.”