Hossein Mousavian, a former nuclear negotiator for Iran, wrote in an editorial in the Boston Globe that a nuclear deal between Iran and the major world powers is still possible. The two sides will meet in Istanbul on 13 April.
"Talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany (P5+1)... provide the best opportunity to break the nine-year deadlock over Iran's nuclear program," Mousavian wrote [Reuters, 1 April].
Mousavian, currently a visiting scholar at Princeton University, also writes that the world powers need to recognize Iran’s right to enrich uranium.
"For Iran, this is the recognition of its legitimate right to create a nuclear program - including enrichment - and a backing off by the P5+1 from its zero-enrichment position.
"For the P5+1, it is an absolute prohibition on Iran from creating a nuclear bomb, and having Iran clear up ambiguities in its nuclear program to the satisfaction of the International Atomic Energy Agency," Mousavian writes.
'SOLTANIEH: IRAN DETERMINED TO CONTINUE NUCLEAR ENERGY PROGRAM
ReplyDeleteSat Mar 31, 2012 10:27PM GMT
Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran is not after acquiring military atomic technology but resolute to continue with its nuclear energy program.
The Islamic Republic “has not been pursuing a nuclear weapon” Ali Asghar Soltanieh said in a recent interview with Fox News television channel.
We “will never, ever suspend our activities, including [uranium] enrichment,” he added.
Pointing to the “politicized” debate on the Parchin site, Soltanieh stressed that while Tehran is willing to cooperate with the IAEA on its nuclear energy program, it will not accede to any demand to visit its military facilities.
“We cannot permit each time any country wants to knock at the door and wants to go to our military sites,” he said.
“Sanctions have had no effect,” he pointed out, adding, “We are more determined to pursue our nuclear activities.”
Soltanieh also downplayed threats of a military attack against Iranian nuclear sites and reiterated that Tehran would give “a strong response with an iron fist” to any such venture.
“Nobody would dare attack Iran,” he said.