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Research studies is different from producing nuclear fuel, Asefi

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Jan 15, IRNA
Iran-Nuclear Program-Asefi
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said on Sunday that the term of research has a standard definition and it is surprising that certain states are mistaking resumption of research studies with production of nuclear fuel.

"It is surprising that certain states have embarked on propaganda campaign to the extent that they could not distinguish between research studies on nuclear technology and the production of nuclear fuel," he said.

US IS RESPONSIBLE
Recalling the death of some 100 reporters on air crash of C 130 military transport plane and the fact that US enforced embargo on sale of spare parts of planes, Asefi said that US is responsible because it uses economic leverage as tools for exerting pressure on other nations for political goals.

"It is not compatible with international law and criteria to embargo spare parts of passenger planes which directly concern human lives," Asefi said.

US is responsible, but, unfortunately, it seems that there is no humanitarian conscience in Western states which enforce such fatal embargo on other nations, he said.

TWO GERMAN AND FRENCH NATIONALS ARE SAFE AND SOUND
A reporter asked about well-being of two Germans and a French national arrested in the Persian Gulf for violating Iranian territorial waters, Asefi said that they are safe and sound.

He said that their freedom is pending on a court verdict.

IRAN-EUROPE TRADE
Asked to comment on trade between Iran and the European states, Asefi said that no change occurred in trade with European states and it stood at the same level as that of last year, but, trade with several states has either increased or decreased.

ARREST OF MOSSAD SPY
Responding a question whether a Mossad spy has been arrested in Iran, he said that he cannot confirm the report.

He said that unfortunately, three Turkish nationals have been kidnapped on the eastern borders of Iran and Iranian Foreign Ministry is working closely with Turkish Embassy in Tehran. "We put our information about them at their disposal."
On several Iranian nationals who have been kidnapped in the same area, he said that the Interior Ministry, security forces and Foreign Ministry are working together to secure their release and help them return to their own family.

He called on neighboring states to closely cooperate with Iran to put an end to kidnapping on the border areas.

CANADA IS EXPECTED TO GIVE REPLY TO IRAN
A reporter asked about Canadian reply about deaths of two Iranian nationals in Canada, he said that Foreign Ministry and Iranian Embassy in Canada are following up the case.

He said that unfortunately Canadian government has adopted irresponsible attitude in this respect and Iran expects Canadian government to give a clarified reply on the case.

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