Reuters: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday Iran would not abandon its right to nuclear technology after Tehran’s case was referred back to the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear dispute with the West. TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday Iran would not abandon its right to nuclear technology after Tehran’s case was referred back to the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear dispute with the West.
Five permanent Security Council members, the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China, plus Germany backed a nuclear package aimed at ending the standoff but asked the council to intervene on Wednesday after Tehran failed to reply.
“Our answer to the P5+1 package is clear, the Iranian nation abides by international laws and regulations but will not abandon its obvious right to obtain nuclear technology,” he was quoted as saying by state television.
The package offers Iran economic and diplomatic incentives if Iran suspends uranium enrichment, a process that the West believes Iran is using to develop atomic bomb. Iran has refused to halt the work, saying it has the right to carry it out.
Tehran insists its aims are purely for civilian purposes.
Ahmadinejad said Iran was ready for talks and repeated that the country would give its final answer to the package by August 22, despite mounting pressure for a quicker response.
“You (Western countries) should know that if the Iranian nation reaches a conclusion that this package is not in its interest, it will review it policies,” he was quoted as saying, but television did not specify which policies would be reviewed.
In the past, Iran has threatened to reconsider its adherence to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
“Europeans will be responsible for any event in the region and they will be harmed first,” he said without giving details.
