Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mohammad-Ali Hosseini: Suspension of Uranium Enrichment is Out of the Question (Excerpts)

December 24, 2007

Weapon Program: 

  • Nuclear

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Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said that suspension of uranium enrichment is an outdated issue.

Speaking to reporters, he said Russian foreign ministry issued a declaration to state that shipment of nuclear fuel to Bushehr nuclear power plant has created suitable grounds for continued confidence building measures over Iran`s nuclear activities.

On suspension of uranium enrichment, he said the issue is completely outdated and `We have declared it for several times that setting preconditions such as suspension is totally out of question and we should continue our activities based on realities.

"Shipment of nuclear fuel to Bushehr nuclear power plant and activities of Natanz nuclear site for generation of nuclear electricity have been defined in Iran`s developing program," Hosseini said.

In his weekly press briefing, Hosseini advised the US to remain committed to its pledges on Iraq.

He underlined that the US stands and comments on Iran`s constructive role in Iraq are based on creation of doubt and hesitation and putting the blames on others through publicity of fabricated news and analyses.

"We have always declared that we regard Iraq`s security as our own," he underlined.

"We strongly advise the US to deter impractical and futile attempts and to adopt a factual policy and to accept realities and remain committed to its pledges in Iraq and help restore stability and security in the country," he said.

On the next round of Iran-US talks on Iraq's security, he said negotiations with Iraqi officials are underway which would conclude in the near future.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman in his briefing with reporters declared Iran's stance on comprehensive direct Iran-US negotiations.

A reporter asked Mohammad-Ali Hosseini, "A group of US congressmen have called on US President George W. Bush to enter direct, comprehensive talks with Iran without any preconditions, because they believe new evaluation of US intelligence organizations and relative success in talks between Iran and USA on Iraq`s security have indicated that disputes between the two countries can be solved through diplomatic means."

Hosseini answered, "The original letter proposing such a request for talks must not have been issued yet, since the US government has not confirmed its receipt and it has not taken any stand regarding it." He continued Iran`s stand on the matter is that, "We are always ready for talks without any preconditions, with mutual respect."

Hosseini noted that as IRI President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has several times reiterated, sticking to realism, abandoning unilateralist tendencies and avoiding aggressive approaches can help solve the international disputes more effectively.

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