WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING WITH MOHAMMAD ALI HOSSEINI, FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN
IRANIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
October 22, 2006
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said on Sunday any Security Council resolution on Iran would speed up the current negotiations between Iran and the Group 5+1 (permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany) to a stalemate.
He told reporters there are two directions, one is the Security Council and passing resolution and the other negotiations to reach an understanding.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran advocates the second direction and has emphasized the need for negotiations so far."
Asked to comment on the latest statement of Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani advising the Europeans not to jeopardize the current process of negotiations, the spokesman said that any economic sanctions on Iran will have repercussions both at bilateral, regional and international scales.
"If they opt for economic sanctions, Iran will reciprocate with proportionate decisions."