Larijani says use of force will be met with "appropriate response"
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Vienna, Feb 21, IRNA
Larijani-Nuclear-Reporters
Iran's top nuclear negotiator said here Tuesday that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons and use of force to settle the nuclear issue will be met with an "appropriate response." The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) was speaking to reporters after his two-hour talks with Director General of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei.
"I think certain countries are looking for adventure on Iran's nuclear case. You know that some countries until now have not signed the NPT but are carrying out nuclear activities," Larijani said, and regretted that no action has been taken against them while the UN Security Council has passed a resolution against Iran.
Following his meeting with Director General ElBaradei at the latter's residence in Vienna, Larijani warned that "double standards will severely damage the credibility of international bodies." He also made it clear that "suspension was not the issue" in talks but the need to put Iran's "nuclear activities within the framework of the IAEA and under the supervision of inspectors of the agency."
Referring to his talks with ElBaradei, he said: "We had good talks. We discussed ways to resume negotiations."
Ahead of an expected report Friday by ElBaradei on Iran's compliance with the deadline set by UN Security Council Resolution 1737 for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment, Larijani warned that no attempt should be made to use "force or pressure" to resolve the issue.
"Both sides believe that negotiations will be the only solution to the case. Iran's nuclear dossier has been sent to the Security for no reason at all. The case should be resolved only by the IAEA." He said the sides had agreed to continue their joint efforts.
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