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Larijani: West's threat against Iran's nuclear issue, int'l anarchy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Moscow, March 1, IRNA
Iran-Larijani-Nuclear
Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Ali Larijani on Wednesday said that the threats against and discriminatory approach of the US and the West to Iran's nuclear issue is an international anarchy.

Speaking to reporters upon arrival in Moscow, he noted that while some regional countries possess nuclear weapons, the US is quite strict about Iran's access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and has a hostile approach.

He termed such a policy as nuclear apartheid and international anarchy.

"To justify itself and prove that its nuclear programs are intended for peaceful purposes, Iran has closely cooperated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international bodies," he added.

Turning to use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes as the inalienable right of Iran, he noted that threats against such a right are unacceptable.

"Unfortunately, under the current conditions, the political aspects of Iran's nuclear dossier overweighs its legal and technical dimensions. Therefore, it should be attempted to prevent the case being further politicized," he added.

He referred to Russia's proposed joint venture on enrichment in the Russian territory as a constructive project likely to result in a new formula for Iran-Russia cooperation and helping the issue to be settled.

In reply to a question about suspension of uranium enrichment in Iran mainly to clarify the associated ambiguities, Larijani said that responding to the IAEA questions to remove any ambiguity has nothing to do with suspension of enrichment process.

"We are prepared to answer all questions under any condition and believe that suspension of uranium enrichment can be effected once any dangerous step is taken. Given there is no risk in Iran's nuclear program, there is no reason to suspend the process," he added.

Larijani heading a delegation including SNSC Deputy Secretary for Strategic Affairs Ali Hosseini-Tash and a number of experts from Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) arrived in Moscow on Wednesday to hold another round of nuclear talks with Russian officials.

The SNSC secretary is scheduled to meet with the Secretary of the Russian Security Council Igor Ivanov at Zolotoi Kolos Hotel in Moscow at 16:00 hours local time.

Iran and Russia are to hold a third round of talks on Moscow's proposed joint uranium enrichment in the Russian territory.

The first and second rounds of talks were held in Tehran and Moscow in January and February, respectively.

During the second round of talks, the two sides reached an agreement in principle on Russia's proposal.

2326/2322/1412