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Asefi: One should wait for ElBaradei's report on Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, April 23, IRNA
Iran-Asefi-Nuclear
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said on Sunday that one should wait for the report of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Mohamed ElBaradei, adding that his former reports have underlined that Iran has never deviated from peaceful path in its nuclear activities.

Speaking to the media in this week's press conference, he said that in recent days some world powers have attempted to exert pressure on Iran, given they treat the country's nuclear dossier as a political case instead of a technical one.

"If the dossier is not dealt with as a political case, there is no cause for concern. However, we are always worried about its being politicized," he added.

In response to a question about Iran-India-Pakistan gas pipeline project, Asefi referred to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's phone conversation with his Indian and Pakistani counterparts and said that the officials of both states insist on accelerating it.

The spokesman noted that the implementation of the project will contribute to the development of regional states and will be in the interest of the three countries involved in it.

About Iran's use of P2 centrifuge, he said that this type of centrifuge has not yet been used in the country. He added that Iran has just used P1 centrifuge, of which the IAEA is aware.

Concerning the use of P2 centrifuge in future, he said that it depends on the decisions to be taken.

Asefi noted that the NPT members are entitled to use this type of centrifuge and that no party can ever ban its use by Iran.

In reply to another question about the prospect of Iran becoming the 11th country possessing nuclear technology, the official said, "It is obvious that Iran is one of the limited countries which have developed such a technology."
Asefi referred to Iran's extensive exchange of views about the nuclear issue over recent days and said that the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Ali Larijani left for Bahrain today on the first leg of his regional visit.

In addition to holding talks with Russia and European states, Iranian officials have discussed the nuclear issue with the secretary general of the Arab League as well as Malaysia, Cuba, Japan and China.

"Meanwhile, during the 5+1 meeting in Moscow, held upon the initiative of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, an Iranian delegation including members of the Supreme National Security Council and Foreign Ministry officials visited Russia and held talks with the European officials in charge," he added.

He noted that besides, Iranian negotiators are now holding talks with representatives of various countries on the nuclear matter in Vienna.

Turning to the international tender for two more nuclear power plants, he said that given the need for a few more of this type of power plants, the issue will be pursued through tenders and the outcome will be declared.

Asked about the West's outlook on ElBaradei's report being harsh, he replied that such comments prove that the West is exerting pressure on the IAEA chief.

He pointed to the fact that the former reports released by the agency have underlined that Iran has not deviated from the peaceful nuclear path and said that these prove that the West is pressurizing the IAEA, which is a cause of concern for Iran.

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