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Iran capable of carrying out peaceful nuclear activities: spokesman

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Dec 24, IRNA
Iran-Hosseini-Nuclear
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said here Sunday that Iran has acquired necessary capability to carry out peaceful nuclear activities.

Hosseini made the remark while speaking to domestic and foreign reporters at his weekly press briefing.

He said Iran would celebrate its nuclear victory during the `Ten-Day Dawn' celebrations (February 1-10) marking the victory of the Islamic Revolution, stressing it would be held to mark completion of Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

Asked about a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council Saturday night against Iran's peaceful nuclear activities, he added, "The resolution was a result of an incorrect path they (the five permanent member of the Security Council -- Russia, China, Britain, France and the US -- plus Germany) have chosen.

"The resolution was completely politically-motivated, illegal discriminatory and unfair."
Hosseini stated, "The resolution was adopted against a country which is a signatory to and a committed member of the
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which observes regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"The resolution was adopted against a country which had transparent peaceful nuclear activities and had necessary cooperation with the IAEA."
He noted that the IAEA inspectors and supervisors made regular visits to Tehran, stressing that Iran's peaceful nuclear activities have been conducted under their supervision.

He said the Security Council adopted the resolution at a time when the Zionist regime's Prime Minister Ihud Olmert recently confessed that his country possessed nuclear weapons.

The world public opinion witnessed that the Security Council pays no attention to the issue and keeps silent on arsenal of the Zionist regime and even certain members of the council intend to justify it, he added.

The spokesman termed as "cruel and unfair" the adoption of the resolution against Iran, saying, "The resolution will have no impact on continuation of Iran's peaceful nuclear program."
In response to a question on Iran's reaction to the resolution, he said, "We are not obliged to continue our cooperation with the IAEA at the previous level.

"Iran regulates its relations with other states based on its national interests."
On possibility of continuation of negotiations, the spokesman said, "We have always stressed the need for holding talks. Currently, we do not close the door to unconditional negotiations."
He said at the time of nationalization of Iran's oil industry in 1951, the US and Britain said it would be a threat against international peace and security. They repeated the same scenario at the current time.

Hosseini said imposing sanctions would affect both sides.

He stressed that Iranian officials and nation enjoy a complete consensus on peaceful nuclear activities and would not give up their right.

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