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Asefi: Language of threat useless in solving Iran's nuclear case

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, April 30, IRNA
Iran-Asefi-Nuclear
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi here Sunday said that based on the past experience, the language of threat and pressure is ineffective and called on the future participants of the upcoming Paris conference not to use such a language.

Addressing domestic and foreign media in this week's briefing, he said that Iran believes that holding talks is the only way to solve its nuclear case.

"Iran will not change its path. Therefore, the call for suspension is out of question," he added.

Meanwhile, he called on the upcoming Paris meeting to deal with Iran's nuclear issue in accordance with the realities, terms of the NPT and international regulations.

In response to a question about the arrest of a French citizen in Iran, Asefi confirmed it and said that its judicial process is currently underway.

Concerning the detention of a Canadian citizen, the spokesman said, "Canada's ambassador to Tehran, who reported the case orally to the Foreign Ministry on Saturday, was asked to submit a written report to enable us pursue the matter with the judiciary."
In response to another question about recent opposition of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about holding talks with the US and whether this is the view of the ruling system, he confirmed it.

Turning to US attempt to convince countries such as Japan, India and Pakistan to stop cooperating with Iran, he said that every state makes decision on issues based on its own interests, just as India and Pakistan did so with regard to the gas pipeline project.

Asefi pointed to Japan as a large, independent and powerful country and said, "Japan proceeds in line with its national interests and will not let the US promote its unilateral policy through bullying."
Stressing that suspension of the country's nuclear activities is no loner on the agenda, he called on Europe to think about the future.

He referred to the Europeans unilateral violation of the Paris Agreement and hoped that the issue will be solved through talks.

About the schedule of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he said, once the decision to put the nuclear dossier on the IAEA agenda, such a schedule will be drawn up and presented in three weeks.

He added that this will also be discussed with the officials in charge of the UN nuclear watchdog and announced Iran's readiness to cooperate with the agency based on such a time frame, which will clarify the remaining questions.

In reply to another question about the date of the International Holocaust Conference in Tehran and the Foreign Ministry's approach to participation of `two American agents' in the nuclear conference be held by the Expediency Council's Strategic Research Center, Asefi said that Iran's Foreign Ministry has introduced the invited guests to the authorities.

He added that once their credentials are approved, entry visa will be issued for them.

Asefi said that once the relevant essays are submitted and examined, the exact time of the conference will be decided.

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