Rowhani: Iran has not abandoned enrichment
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-11-30 20:17

Iran said Tuesday it has not abandoned its right to enrich uranium, noting that its agreement with the U.N. nuclear agency to suspend the processing is for several months.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani attends a news conference in Tehran November 30, 2004. Iran reiterated on Tuesday it was only prepared to keep its uranium enrichment activities frozen for a few months and would not, as the EU and Washington wants, permanently mothball facilities which could make atomic bombs. [Reuters]

Speaking to reporters, Iran's top nuclear official, Hassan Rowhani, hailed the resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday authorizing IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei to monitor Iran's commitment to freeze uranium enrichment activities. Such enrichment can produce either low grade fuel for nuclear reactors or the raw material for atomic weapons.

The resolution followed a Nov. 7 agreement on suspending enrichment activities that France, Germany and Britain negotiated with Iran to stave off tougher action by the U.N. watchdog, which could have referred Iran to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.

"This new situation is a turning point in Iran's nuclear case because, for the first time, the (IAEA) board of governors acknowledged Iran's right to peaceful nuclear activities," Rowhani said.

The United States suspects Iran has a secret program to produce nuclear weapons, and has been lobbying for the country's nuclear file to go before the Security Council. Iran insists its program is strictly for generating electricity.

After the IAEA passed the resolution, U.S. chief delegate Jackie Sanders told the board there were more than a dozen open questions about Iran's nuclear intentions despite the agency's nearly two-year investigation of the country.

"This makes it clear that the IAEA cannot ... offer the necessary assurances that Iran is not attempting to produce nuclear material for weapons," Sanders said.

Rowhani was dismissive of U.S. arguments.

"We have proved that our enemies are liars, and the path of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been legal and peaceful," he said.

"Despite American propaganda, Iran has not abandoned fuel cycle and it will not do that," Rowhani said.

"The suspension (of enrichment activities) will be limited to the negotiation period with Europe and not beyond. In case negotiations cease or are unsuccessful, there will not be any sort of suspension."

The negotiation period, Rowhani said, "means several months, not (a) year."

Iran is negotiating with Europe to acquire advanced nuclear technology.

Rowhani reiterated Iran is committed to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and has no ambition to build an atomic bomb.

"Iran has never pursued the production of nuclear weapons and it will never do that," Rowhani said.

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