AFP: Influential former president Hashemi Rafsanjani said Friday that Iran would continue talks with Europe over its nuclear activities but reject any threats aimed at depriving the country of peaceful nuclear technology. “We agree to continue negotiations within the framework of international rules but if the Europeans want to use threats, there is no more place for negotiations,” Rafsanjani said on state radio. AFP
TEHRAN – Influential former president Hashemi Rafsanjani said Friday that Iran would continue talks with Europe over its nuclear activities but reject any threats aimed at depriving the country of peaceful nuclear technology.
“We agree to continue negotiations within the framework of international rules but if the Europeans want to use threats, there is no more place for negotiations,” Rafsanjani said on state radio.
Iran and European three nations — Britain, France and Germany — failed on Wednesday to agree on getting Tehran to suspend all uranium enrichment activities, but further talks are due to be held.
“We have the feeling that the Europeans are now more serious and the hope of arriving at an acceptable point exists,” Rafsanjani said.
He also expressed his hope that the European three “do not become an instrument in the hands of the Americans”.