AFP: Iran’s decision to resume atomic fuel research despite Western opposition could endanger the next round of talks on its controversial nuclear program with three EU nations, Germany said on Wednesday. BERLIN, Jan 4 (AFP) – Iran’s decision to resume atomic fuel research despite Western opposition could endanger the next round of talks on its controversial nuclear program with three EU nations, Germany said on Wednesday.
“We view the latest announcement from Iran that it will restart its research and development work with concern,” foreign ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger told a press conference.
He said the decision could “throw into doubt the exploratory talks” which Germany, Britain and France are holding with Tehran about resuming full negotiations on obtaining guarantees that Iran is not trying to develop a nuclear bomb.
Iran notified the International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday that it had decided to go ahead on January 9 with the nuclear fuel research.
The IAEA confirmed it had been informed about Iran’s intention, and has asked Iran to maintain the suspension on its enrichment-related activities.
Iran suspended these activities voluntarily in October 2003 as part of earlier talks with the three European countries.
Iran’s chief official for the nuclear file, Ali Larijani, said on Wednesday that the decision to resume nuclear fuel research was “not negotiable”.
Western nations, led by the United States, fear that the Iranian civilian nuclear program is a cover for developing an atomic bomb, and have threatened to take Iran before the UN Security Council which could impose sanctions for violations of nuclear treaty obligations.
Iran has denied it is seeking to develop a nuclear bomb.
