Iranian cleric accuses Europeans of killing time in nuclear talks

AFP: A senior Iranian cleric accused Europeans of killing time in their negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme and pledged on Friday that Iran will resume uranium enrichment if negotiations break down. “Europeans are killing time; Negotiations are going on but the achievement we expected has not been reached yet.” said Ayatollah Ahmad Janati, a hardline cleric who heads the powerful watchdog body that
vets all legislation and candidates for public office. AFP

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian cleric accused Europeans of killing time in their negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme and pledged on Friday that Iran will resume uranium enrichment if negotiations break down.

“Europeans are killing time; Negotiations are going on but the achievement we expected has not been reached yet.” said Ayatollah Ahmad Janati, a hardline cleric who heads the powerful watchdog body that vets all legislation and candidates for public office.

“We will wait for a while and if the negotiations do not reach the desired result, we will resume our work (uranium enrichment).” Janati said in a weekly prayer sermon broadcast live on state radio.

EU nations led by France, Britain and Germany have been trying to persuade Tehran permanently to abandon its uranium enrichment programme, which can be a key step to developing nuclear weapons, in return for a package of trade deals.

“They must not hope they can go on with suspension until enrichment is stopped. Europeans must not be acting under America’s pressure,” Janati said.

Washington has alleged that Iran is seeking to build nuclear weapons, a charge that Tehran vehemently denies, saying that its nuclear programme is completely peaceful.