Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Tuesday that Iran will not give up its „peaceful” nuclear activities.
Mehmanparast told a news briefing that Iran needs to provide fuel for its Bushehr nuclear power plant and in order to supply fuel for the plant Iran has to continue its nuclear enrichment program.
Iran held a ceremony Monday to mark the preliminary launch of the long-delayed Bushehr nuclear power plant.
Mehmanparast confirmed Iran’s recent letter to the European Union (EU) foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton.
„We have already announced that in order to cooperate (with the world’s major powers) we are ready to talk on common grounds and no change has taken place in Iran’s stance,” he said.
„We believe that in a cooperative and constructive atmosphere it is possible to remove the misunderstandings that have been created for the IAEA.”
Iran is continuing its peaceful nuclear activities and believes that dialogue is helpful for cooperation, he added.
Yukiya Amano, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA), told the agency’s board Monday that he is „increasingly concerned” with possible military aspects of Iran’s nuclear program.
Amano called on Tehran to cooperate fully with IAEA inspectors.
The U.S. and its allies have accused Iran of intending to develop a military nuclear program. Iran has vehemently refuted such charges, arguing that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty and a member of the IAEA, Tehran has the right to pursue and utilize peaceful nuclear technology.
Special Report: Iran Nuclear Crisis
