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Russian offer to be considered in light of new situation: Entezami

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, March 13, IRNA
Iran-Russia-spokesman
Moscow's plan to enrich uranium in Russia for Iran should be reconsidered by Iranian officials in light of the new developments, spokesman of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hossein Entezami said on Monday.

Speaking to IRNA, Entezami said Tehran had repeatedly declared that it would welcome any solution which helps remove the dispute on Iranian nuclear program.

"Only those talks which will observe rights of all parties will be seen reasonable by Iran," Entezami stressed.

As for some domestic political groups which believed that Tehran had to quit the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) after its nuclear case was reported to the United Nations Security Council, the spokesman said, "We believe that the NPT is a good international agreement." He expressed hope that the UN nuclear watchdog, its member states and other parties dealing with Iran's nuclear issue, "Will be able to safeguard international security by acting within the framework of the agreement (NPT)."
Referring to the NPT's essential principles, Entezami stressed that the treaty was based on two significant elements of disarmament and helping NPT member states use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

"Unfortunately, the two valuable principles are being ignored by certain countries," the spokesman regretted.

He added that the best way to guarantee continued commitment of the NPT member states' to its terms "is to help them (members) benefit from nuclear energy for peaceful purposes."
Entezami reiterated that Tehran has continuously given priority to hold talks and use diplomacy under any condition.

However, he said: "The way that the Iranians will appear in any future possible talks will totally depend on how those dealing with the Iranian peaceful nuclear program at this stage, play their role in resolving the current standoff."
Russia's new offer for holding a meeting in Vienna by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Germany and head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, (5+2), has proved that Moscow is trying to maintain its role at this juncture, he said.

Given the current lack of consensus among the permanent members of the UNSC, if they all agree with Moscow's offer, it can be said that Russia is still playing an effective role in the international scene.

Russia is trying to maintain its international status in any possible way for returning Tehran's nuclear case from New York (Security Council) to Vienna (the IAEA).

Iran has repeatedly said that it is ready to accept new plans and proposals on solving its nuclear standoff, in case that they would respect Tehran's indisputable right to produce nuclear energy for civilian use.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters Sunday on the sidelines of an international conference on energy and security that Tehran believed that there is still chance for continuing talks on Iran's nuclear case.

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