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Iran hints at reconsidering uranium enrichment suspension

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, June 19, IRNA -- Iran put on a brave face Saturday to say 
that a resolution passed by the UN nuclear watchdog a day before bears
little significance. 
The country`s top security official also said Tehran may opt to 
reconsider its voluntary suspension of uranium enrichment since the 
Europeans had failed to live up to their commitments. 
"The Europeans took the obligation in October that Iran`s file 
would be closed in June. In turn, we committed ourselves to 
voluntary suspension (of uranium enrichment). 
"But since the Europeans have not met their commitment, we may 
take new decisions and announce them in the coming days," Secretary of
the Supreme National Security Council, Hassan Rowhani, told reporters 
here. 
Iran has suspended production of centrifuge components since April
9 as a confidence-building measure with the international community. 
It has also voluntarily frozen its uranium enrichment activities 
since last October and signed an additional protocol allowing snap 
inspections of its nuclear sites by the IAEA. 
The suspension followed an agreement signed between Iran and the 
European big three -- Britain, France and Germany -- for cooperation. 
Rowhani`s statements came a day after the International Atomic 
Energy Agency (IAEA)` board of governors adopted a resolution, 
`deploring` Iran`s alleged lack of full cooperation. 
The official said, "The governing board`s resolution adopted at 
the Friday meeting concerning Iran`s nuclear program does not have 
much significance." 
He said the resolution `has not created any new commitment for the
Islamic Republic`. 
Rowhani reiterated that Tehran would continue its activities in 
the framework of the nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards 
treaties, including in building a full nuclear fuel cycle. 
"The (building) of a fuel cycle will not be halted under any 
condition; we have announced to the Europeans that the suspension 
(of uranium enrichment) will be short term," he said. 
Rowhani said, "The suspension was aimed at confidence-building. 
Today, there is a new climate where we have signed the (Additional) 
Protocol and implemented that. 
"The agency (IAEA), on its part, has carried out its inspections 
and a trustful atmosphere has been created." 
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