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Iran will never succumb to pressure, intimidation: Envoy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Athens, April 28, IRNA
Iran-Greece-Ambassador
Iran's Ambassador to Athens Mehdi Mohtashami said here Thursday that Tehran would never yield to pressure and intimidation.

Talking to reporters, Mohtashami stressed Iran's inalienable and undeniable right for peaceful use of nuclear energy based on the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"Diplomacy and resumption of constructive and purposeful talks are still the best solution to Iran's nuclear case," he said.

He added that suspension of nuclear activities by Iran over the past three years had been on a voluntary basis, non-binding and in order for confidence-building.

"The case of research is totally different from the industrial- scale uranium enrichment.

"All processes of nuclear research have been conducted under surveillance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran will continue its cooperation with the agency based on the NPT Safeguards.

"Iran has had a clear stance since the beginning. We have repeatedly announced that our nuclear activities are entirely peaceful aimed at diversification of energy resources of the country and in accordance with precise strategic studies."
Pointing to Iran's cooperation with the IAEA and its chief Mohamed ElBaradei in particular, the ambassador said, "If the trend follows a fully legal and non-political course, the remaining ambiguities will be raised and removed soon.

"The current atmosphere is not appropriate regarding Iran's broad and transparent cooperation with the IAEA.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran still calls for continuation of talks with European states to remove their concerns and prove that the country had no diversion from its peaceful nuclear activities," Mohtashami added.

Asked about the possibility of imposition of sanctions against Iran within framework of adoption of a resolution based on Chapter Seven of the United Nations Charter, he said, "Such a resolution needs to have a legal basis whose concern would not be Iran." He pointed to the positive and independent stances of China and Russia, as two states of the five veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council, saying, "Important and influential states, including members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), are expected to oppose any unilateral and illegal measure of the United States." The ambassador added various news and analyses on the US possible military attack on Iran are just a psychological war to threaten Iran to renounce its rights.

"By the way, Iran has prepared itself for different possible scenarios including a military attack although our enemies are wise enough not to run into a desperate trouble based on their previous experience and ongoing situation in the region."
Pointing to friendly and deep-rooted ties between Iran and Greece, he stated, "We expect the Greek government would adopt an independent stance to prevent the decision-making process tilting towards the extremist and non-peaceful options with respect to the country's important position in crucial international organizations including the Security Council and the IAEA's Board of Governor.

"Our recommendation to Western states is to prevent hue and cry and vain exaggerations, thus letting peaceful settlement of Iran's nuclear problem after return of the country's nuclear dossier to its main position in the IAEA and giving diplomacy and dialogue the chance."
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