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Rowhani says UNSC draft resolution against Iran "oppressive"

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Nov 1, IRNA
Iran-Rowhani-Nuclear
The Supreme Leader's representative to the Supreme National Security Council, Hassan Rowhani, said here Wednesday that a draft resolution prepared by the 5+1 Group seeking to impose sanctions on Iran for its peaceful nuclear activities is "oppressive."

Speaking to reporters, Rowhani expressed hope the resolution would not be passed by the UN Security Council because it would punish Iran unjustly for its peaceful nuclear activities.

"Nonetheless, Iran is fully ready to confront the situation (sought to be imposed on Iran).

"The draft resolution would most likely be ratified in a stronger form as insisted by US officials but Russia believes it is too strongly worded," he said.

Rowhani, who is also head of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council (EC), believed there was still time to thwart passage of the draft resolution.

"Our activities should be mainly diplomatic. We should establish broader diplomatic relations with Russia, China and even European states to prevent approval of the draft resolution or to cause amendments to it."
He stressed the importance of finding a diplomatic and political solution to the nuclear stand-off.

"The Europeans believe Iran is out to produce a nuclear bomb, but they should know that our nuclear activities are intended for peaceful purposes and not to obtain a bomb. We only want to enforce our inalienable rights," he stated.

In response to a question on whether Iran would reduce its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if sanctions are imposed on it, the EC member replied: "A resolution against Iran will definitely not remain unanswered."

"Iran could reduce its cooperation with the IAEA but the issue still has to be addressed. We are thinking about it."

Rowhani further said that pursuing a nuclear program is difficult, and urged the international community to help it achieve its goals.

"Currently, SNSC Secretary Ali Larijani and his colleagues are working on Iran's nuclear case."

Asked about the military maneuvers to be staged by the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Australia and Bahrain in the Persian Gulf next week, he said that Iran does not view them as a threat because currently no threat exists in the Persian Gulf that would be addressed by the US and Europe in these maneuvers.

But he said the Islamic Republic of Iran should always be vigilant in respect to these maneuvers. "We are always in a state of readiness."

He said military maneuvers will also be staged by Iran's armed forces to ensure a state of constant readiness."
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