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Iran to defend legitimate rights, react appropriately to UNSC

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, March 12, IRNA
Iran-Security Council-spokesman
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said on Sunday that Iran is not concerned about the meeting of the Security Council and that it only defends its legitimate rights.

He told reporters on the sidelines of an international conference dubbed 'Energy and Security: Asian Vision', at the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) on March 12-13, that Board of Governors of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has made apolitical decision by reporting Iran to the Security Council which is regrettable.

Asked about what Iran would do in connection with possible debate in the Security Council on Iranian nuclear program, he said that it depends on what the European states and members of the Security Council would do in their debate and Iran would react appropriately.

Responding to a question whether Iran is worried about any escalation of crisis over its nuclear program, he said that Iran believes that it is moving in line with its legitimate right.

"Iran's preference is to defend its national rights enshrined in Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)," Asefi said.

"Iran is a powerful state and can defend its national interests.

Iran is independent and is not following the US lead," he said.

On possibility of extending moratorium on uranium enrichment, he said that it would be possible if it comes out of negotiations with IAEA and the other states so that Iran is well-prepared to extend moratorium on uranium enrichment, if an agreement was reached with respective states to that effect.

"Let's wait and see what will happen in the next few days. If the Security Council wanted to exert pressure on Iran, Iran would not continue with the voluntary actions it has taken so far."
"Iran is interested in extending moratorium on uranium enrichment if it comes out of negotiations. If the US and European states wanted to exert pressure on Iran, Iran would be forced to take unilateral action," Asefi said.

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