Foreign Minister says Iran will stick to nuclear path

Iran Focus
Apr. 01, 2006

Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic will continue to pursue its nuclear program despite having been given a 30-day deadline by the United Nations Security Council to suspend all of its uranium enrichment activities.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has chosen a legal and logical path which is in accordance with international laws. Therefore, in this path, we can not ignore our rights”, Mottaki told reporters on his arrival at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport after attending the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. His comments were carried by the state-run news agency ISNA.

“What can happen is a comprehensive understanding being reached for a full agreement based on talks within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency”, he said.

The Security Council adopted a statement unanimously on Wednesday giving Iran 30 days to suspend all of its uranium enrichment activities and resume its cooperation with the IAEA.

“The actions of the Security Council are regretful”, Mottaki said. “In reality, the Security Council issued this statement in a political move and with political intentions thus practically weakening the position of the IAEA which is the specialised and technical body for such issues”.