Iran will review its policies and commitments in regards to its nuclear activities given that the European countries have not kept their promises, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said in Tehran Sunday.
Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference, he added Iran will announce the results of such reconsideration within the coming days.
"Iran has always had a transparent and honest cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and will continue cooperation. However, there are no reasons to still keep Iran`s dossier open," he said, cited by IRNA news agency.
Iran made a mutual commitment with the European side based on the Tehran Declaration and the meeting held in Brussels, the spokesman said, adding that according to them, the Europeans were committed to act in a way to close Iran's case in the recently-held IAEA meeting.
"Based on the commitment, we accepted to expand the scope of suspension (of uranium enrichment) to include manufacturing of components and their assembly," he said, according to the agency.
Asked about developments that may emerge in relations between Iran and the European states, he stated that Iran-European ties embrace several aspects.
"The Europeans either did not intend or could not act in an appropriate way in this specific field but this does not mean that everything has reached its end."
The three European states (Britain, France and Germany) by not acting upon their commitment towards Iran would first of all harm their own dignity, Asefi stressed, according to IRNA.
The spokesman, however noted that safeguarding national interests is the most important issue, adding "peaceful use of nuclear technology is our legitimate right."
"They can ask for Iran`s cooperation within the framework of nuclear (Non-Proliferation Treaty) NPT and the safeguard. Iran will make such cooperation. But no one can tell us not to have peaceful technology," he added.
Furthermore, Asefi pointed to US efforts to put the IAEA under pressure and said, "The United States follows two goals: condemning Iran during the last IAEA meeting and referring Iran`s case to the UN Security Council. But US achieved no success in either of its goals."
However, he voiced dissatisfaction with the resolution issued by the agency, saying "we believe Iran`s dossier should be closed but it did not happen due to US pressure." (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
