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Asefi: Iran still believes in solving nuclear issue through talks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, July 30, IRNA
Iran-Asefi-Nuclear
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said here Sunday that Iran still believes in holding talks to solve the country's nuclear issue.

Speaking to domestic and foreign reporters in this week's briefing session, he said that there has been no delay in responding to Europe's proposal and called for their patience until the end of the second summer month when Iran will respond.

In response to a question about the draft resolution issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Iran, he said, "The nuclear issue is not complicated. Iran has had a principled approach to the issue from the very beginning, namely holding talks with the negotiators involved in the case."

Turning to the agreements made between Iran and Europe, he said, "It was decided that the package of proposals should be assessed by the committees in charge. The outcome had to be discussed with the European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and the European countries to clarify the ambiguities.

"In line with the same agreement, Iran declared that it will respond to the received proposal by the end of the second month of summer. However, Europe changed its approach and instead of holding talks, it sent the dossier to the UNSC."

Asefi said that Europe's change of path gave rise to the notion that from the beginning they did not intend to solve the issue through talks, adding that this is despite the fact that Iran is not willing to accept such a belief.

In reply to a question about the US support for the Zionist regime as a terrorist regime, he said, "They have closed their eyes to violation of human rights and killing of women and children by the Zionist regime.

"In today's attacks of the Zionist forces on Qana, more than 20 children were martyred. Does this correspond to war criteria?" Meanwhile, he referred to dispatch of weapons to the Zionist regime by Britain as a political scandal, adding that they have actually helped Israel continue its war against Lebanon.

Asefi called on British officials to be more responsible towards the conflict currently underway.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman declared Iran's sense of responsibility and readiness to play its role in defending the oppressed people of Lebanon.

"The Zionist regime has gained nothing in the battle field. In fact, the Lebanese will and faith have overcome the US and Israeli weapons.

"The people of Lebanon are now more united than the past.

Given that they consider the ongoing war as a legitimate resistance, they support Hizbollah and stand against aggressors," added the official.

Asefi said that the US is facing two options. It can either defend the oppressed in the present war, or stand by the Zionist regime.

"The choice of the US officials will make the American nation subject to the world judgment in the future.

"By continuing the current path, they cannot help the aggressive Zionist regime," he said.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the Western states are expected to fulfill their duties based on international laws.

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