Reuters: Iran warned on Saturday it could pull out of nuclear negotiations with the European Union if progress is not made soon and said its threat to resume some enrichment-related work was not an empty one. “The Iranian nation will never give up its rights … we cannot accept any more time killing,” Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi told state television from New York. Reuters
TEHRAN – Iran warned on Saturday it could pull out of nuclear negotiations with the European Union if progress is not made soon and said its threat to resume some enrichment-related work was not an empty one.
“The Iranian nation will never give up its rights … we cannot accept any more time killing,” Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi told state television from New York.
“Based on the (November) Paris agreement, we agreed if negotiations do not reach a result after three months, the talks will end. We are now at this stage and will make decisions soon,” he added.
Iran insists its nuclear programme will only be used to generate electricity and has rejected EU and U.S. calls for it to abandon for ever plans to produce its own nuclear fuel by enriching uranium.
Iran’s nuclear fuel activities, including enrichment, are currently suspended while talks with the EU continue.
But Tehran has said it is planning to start up some enrichment-related fuel work soon to show its displeasure at the slow pace of negotiations.
EU officials have warned they would back U.S. calls for Iran’s case to be sent to the United Nations Security Council if Tehran resumes any nuclear fuel work.
Kharrazi said Iran would not be intimidated.
“The Islamic Republic has the capability to cope with crises and threatening Iran with political and economic crises will not stop us from seeking our rights,” he said.
“Our threats are not empty ones, but decisions which will be made (in due time)… We are now at this stage, we are waiting to see what the policy-makers decide, and will act accordingly.”
