Eurasia Press & News
Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani voiced Tehran’s full preparedness to attend negotiations with the counterparty to reach an understanding over his country’s nuclear issue. Speaking to reporters during a joint press conference with Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta here in Tehran on Wednesday, Larijani, who is also Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary, meantime, underlined that such talks should not be artificial and that the counterparty should not try to make an instrumental use of negotiations.
He further pointed to the recent statements made by the US officials requiring issuance of another UN Security Council resolution against Iran’s nuclear programs, and said, “They had stated earlier that they would work on another resolution following the 60-day long deadline and they would have done so if there was no good news (about Iran’s entrance into the industrial phase of nuclear fuel production).”
Larijani reminded that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had been informed of Iran’s recent nuclear progress, underlining that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entitles Iran to the industrial production of nuclear fuel.”
“They know that (nuclear) fuel is a strategic commodity. A country which intends to be independent should, thus, seek production of nuclear fuel,” he continued.
The SNSC secretary viewed the present situation proper for the attainment of an agreement by the two sides in Iran’s nuclear issue, and underscored, “We are not seeking adventurism in the region. It is actually them (the West) which use every issue to create an adventure. Therefore, we proclaim in a very straightforward manner that we are prepared to attend proper, and not instrumental and artificial talks.”
Noting his recent phone talks with EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana, he said, “Mr. Solana was eager for detailed and precise negotiations which could yield fruits. Mr. Solana said that he had some ideas and enjoyed some supports for the resumption of talks, and I told him that if talks are based on the previous conditions, then they could not produce success.”
Asked to comment on the recent statements made by Solana’s spokesman saying that industrial production of nuclear fuel by Iran should take place under the thorough inspections of the IAEA, Larijani said that IAEA inspectors are now visiting Iran’s nuclear facilities, and underlined that industrial production of fuel does not require practice of the Additional Protocol by Iran.
Asked whether Iran intends to attend Baghdad talks or not, Larijani said Tehran welcomes the meeting if there exists regional cooperation.
Saying that Iraq’s issues are complex, he reminded that those who hold a better understanding of the conditions could render help to the settlement of Iraq’s problems.
“To hold a regional conference, we prefer Baghdad, because this would mean respect for the Iraqi government and would stabilize its position. Hence, we do not see any reason for the arrangement of a conference on Iraq’s security in any country other than Iraq.”
