Asefi: There is no obstacle for US talks on equal footing
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, June 1, IRNA
Iran-US-Asefi
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi Thursday said in response to the talks offer made by the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that there is no obstacle for US talks on equal footing.
He expressed reservation about any precondition for the talks when it should be held on the same footing.
Asefi said that the Islamic Republic of Iran cannot overlook its legitimate rights enshrined by Non-Proliferation Treaty, in reference to Iranian program to produce nuclear energy.
Speaking to IRNA, Asefi said that Rice's offer for talks has nothing new, because, Washington failed to respect Iranian rights stipulated by NPT.
He said that Iranian nuclear program is in line with NPT and Safeguards of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"US officials had better recognize realities about Iran rather than illusion.
"We believe that under the current circumstances, negotiations without any precondition would be best solution to put an end to Tehran-Washington logjam," he said.
On the international campaign against terrorism, Asefi said that the US determination to fight terrorism comes into spotlight with how Washington deals with its ally (Israel) and whether US condemns the Zionist regime's crimes and atrocities against defenseless Palestinians and whether it reviews its unconditional support for Israel.
"Judgment of the world public opinion is a good criterion for actions of the governments," he said adding that "We advise the American officials to take into account the judgment of the world public opinion about their government.
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