DPA: In the harshest reaction so far made on the latest resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran’s nuclear projects, a senior conservative Iranian official on Tuesday called on a revised approach towards the European Union’s Big Three – Germany, France and Britain. DPA
TEHERAN – In the harshest reaction so far made on the latest resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran’s nuclear projects, a senior conservative Iranian official on Tuesday called on a revised approach towards the European Union’s Big Three – Germany, France and Britain.
“Those who are familiar with the history and diplomacy of these countries would never count on their promises and commitments,” Ali-Akbar Velayati, the foreign policy advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was quoted by the news agency IRNA as saying.
Velayati was referring to Saturday’s IAEA resolution, backed by France, Britain and Germany, which backed the resolution, calling on Iran to disclose all details of its nuclear programme by 25 November and back-pedal on its announced decision to restart uranium enrichment activities.
“Those who might have forgotten the Europeans political conduct should have finally come to their senses and adopt now a more realistic approach,” said Velayati, referring to President Mohammad Khatami’s government which had put a lot of hope in the E.U. for confronting harsh measures by the United States.
The conservative official accused the three EU member states of hypocrisy and a big lie when they promised Teheran last October with a complete nuclear fuel cycle but eventually decided to please Washington instead.
“Resorting to pretexts such as Iran’s military nuclear power threat is just an effort to paralyze all our activities and they would not cease such efforts until erasing us from the scene,” the former foreign minister said.
Velayati, also a potential presidential candidate in next year’s elections, said that the US, Israel and the EU were all worried over Iran becoming a regional and even international power.
“But if a nation aims at reaching scientific and technological perfection and embracing high standards in national advancement, there would be expenses it has to accept,” he said.
Also President Khatami on Monday accused the EU three of depriving independent countries like Iran from technological development.
So far Iran has not said clearly said whether it will suspend uranium enrichment but just termed the IAEA demand as illegal and beyond the jurisdiction of the United Nations nuclear watchdog.
Iran says that the suspension of uranium enrichment should be raised during political discussions on a voluntary basis and not as an ultimatum in an official UN document or resolution.
The Islamic state, however, reiterated its warning that in case the nuclear dossier was referred to the UN Security Council for probable sanctions, Iran would even withdraw from the international nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
