Asefi: Uranium enrichment for research purpose irreversible
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, April 30, IRNA
Iran-Nuclear-Asefi
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said here Sunday that uranium enrichment for research purpose is irreversible.
Speaking to domestic and foreign reporters at his weekly press briefing, Asefi said, the Islamic Republic of Iran is eager to see mutual negotiations lead to the resumption of uranium enrichment on the industrial scale.
Under no circumstances will the Islamic Republic of Iran give up its legitimate rights, he said adding, "We are ready to reach agreement through negotiations and mutual understanding."
A reporter asked, "You have called the recent letter sent to IAEA as a turning point, why was this done so late in the 90th minute?" Asefi said that it was not on the last minute or (90th minute).
"Of course in football match some times the players net the ball on injury time."
The important fact is that every measure would be conducted based on wisdom which this has been fulfilled, he added.
On the new plan proposed by a European country on Iran's nuclear dossier, he reaffirmed the authenticity of the news but did not disclose the name of the country.
"Is it true that Iran has developed another two cascades of 164 centrifuges?," he said the experts are engaged with their own affairs and as soon as they conclude their jobs, they would announce it," he said.
"Is it true that enrichment with cascades of 162 centrifuges has failed?" asked a reporter.
He said there is no problem with implementation of the program.
On Russian proposal for enrichment of Iran's uranium on Russian soil, he said the proposal is still on the table but it should be completed.
On possible direct negotiations between Iran and US, he said, "There is no room for negotiations because they seek to adopt a hegemonistic stand and pursue their goals through poisonous propaganda and under such circumstances it is not to our benefit to hold talks with them.
"Wrong US actions and their repeated mistakes were the root causes of our pessimism," he said.
On developments in Iraq, he said it is the Iraqi should determine their fate and if the United States had not interfered in the country, the country's government would have been formed sooner.
When asked, "What would be Iran's reaction to probable economic sanctions?", he said the measure is considered an irrational move.
"If they impose economic sanctions on us, they themselves would suffer much losses," he said.
If they take such an irrational decision, Iran has considered measures of dealing with it, he said.
Iran does not want to witness a tense situation in the world but there are a number of countries who through their wrong decisions try to create such an atmosphere, Asefi said.
On current cooperation between Iran and Europe, Japan, China, India and Pakistan on oil and gas sectors, he underlined the need for continuation of such cooperation.
"If Iran were attacked, would you take advantage of Shahab-3 missile to target US interests?" asked a reporter.
"I do not know why you raise such a question, this is an irrational psychological warfare," he said.
"We never consider the idea of military action as serious and those who bring such option on the table are far from today's realities," he said.
On further expansion of cooperation with the IAEA which has been underlined in recent letter sent to IAEA, he said, "If Iran's nuclear dossier remain only in the IAEA, we are ready to continue cooperation with this international organization based on our responsibilities and within the IAEA."
Voluntary implementation of additional protocol to NPT along with other voluntary measures with legal base could be among such cooperation, he pointed out.
"Due to wrong policies of the IAEA, some of our cooperation with the agency have been halted," he said adding that if they rectify their mistakes, Iran would reconsider its decision.
On the invitation of two US diplomats for the conference on Iran's peaceful nuclear technology last week, he said they attended the conference as researchers and not as politicians.
He underlined that no negotiation was held with them.
Asked if Iran is ready to hold negotiations with Europe and America, he said, "If the European put aside the language of threat, We are ready to hold negotiations with them as we are doing right now."
He however underlined that time is not ripe for negotiation with the US.
On the murder of an Iranian national in France, he said, "We have summoned the French ambassador three times to seek explanation." Iran has called on France to institute a special committee to pursue the case, he said.
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