IAEA discuss centrifuges
Iranian officials and an IAEA team have kicked off a new round of talks in a bid to clarify the issue of Iran's P1 and P2 centrifuges.
An informed source confirmed that talks between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency were held behind closed doors as scheduled.
Questions about the P1 and P2 centrifuges allegedly discovered in Iran's nuclear facilities and their contamination with highly-enriched uranium, have been among the major issues of concern raised by the agency.
Tehran says the centrifuges had been contaminated before they were purchased by Iran.
Clarifying the issue, which has been among the pretexts used by certain world powers for referring Iran's nuclear dossier to the United Nations Security Council, will be a major step toward resolving the alleged ambiguities surrounding Iran's nuclear case.
An informed source confirmed that talks between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency were held behind closed doors as scheduled.
Questions about the P1 and P2 centrifuges allegedly discovered in Iran's nuclear facilities and their contamination with highly-enriched uranium, have been among the major issues of concern raised by the agency.
Tehran says the centrifuges had been contaminated before they were purchased by Iran.
Clarifying the issue, which has been among the pretexts used by certain world powers for referring Iran's nuclear dossier to the United Nations Security Council, will be a major step toward resolving the alleged ambiguities surrounding Iran's nuclear case.
G8 foreign ministers have met in New York to discuss more sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran over its nuclear activities.
Diplomatic sources said the foreign ministers welcomed Iran's offer to resolve the ambiguities in its nuclear program.
While a number of states reportedly agreed on the need for further sanctions if Tehran does not suspend its uranium enrichment, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov clashed over the issue.
The US and France are the G8 countries pushing for tougher punitive measures. When asked whether any progress had been made, French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner said, "I wouldn't exactly say so, no.”
Russia and China have opposed new sanctions, citing Iran's cooperating with the UN nuclear watchdog.
The Foreign Ministers of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany are also planning to further discuss the issue in New York on Friday.
Diplomatic sources said the foreign ministers welcomed Iran's offer to resolve the ambiguities in its nuclear program.While a number of states reportedly agreed on the need for further sanctions if Tehran does not suspend its uranium enrichment, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov clashed over the issue.
The US and France are the G8 countries pushing for tougher punitive measures. When asked whether any progress had been made, French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner said, "I wouldn't exactly say so, no.”
Russia and China have opposed new sanctions, citing Iran's cooperating with the UN nuclear watchdog.
The Foreign Ministers of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany are also planning to further discuss the issue in New York on Friday.
Iran, Spain discuss Iran's N-case
Spain's Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos, in his meeting with Mottaki, has urged to resolve Tehran's nuclear standoff through dialogue.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and his Spanish counterpart, Miguel Angel Moratinos, who met on the sidelines of UN General Assembly, expressed willingness to expand bilateral ties between Tehran and Madrid.
Both officials also discussed the latest developments in Iran's civilian nuclear program as well as Tehran's ongoing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.Moratinos, for his part, expressed his country's appreciation for the developing relations between Iran and Spain. He also stressed the Spanish government supported the firms doing business with the Islamic Republic.
By rejecting any undiplomatic action towards Iran's nuclear case, the Spanish minister emphasized the necessity of dialogue in resolving Iran's nuclear standoff with the West.
France snubs IAEA report on IranThe French President Office says it does not believe President Ahmadinejad's remarks that Iran's nuclear activities are peaceful.
"Ahmadinejad says that the program is peaceful. Ultimately, we do not believe him. Everyone knows that the program has military goals," French Presidential Spokesman David Martinon told a press conference on Thursday.
"The question is not settled. We have every reason to believe that what is being developed in the plant at Natanz (in central Iran) is not peaceful. We have a string of very powerful clues leading us to that conclusion," he added without elaborating on the alleged clues.
The remarks came while the IAEA in its recent report hailed Iran's cooperation with the nuclear watchdog and called on the world to support the trend. France has stepped up its rhetoric against Iran in recent weeks, drawing widespread criticism.
Analysts believe that Paris is following in the footsteps of former British PM Tony Blair whose unpopular policy of blind support for the Bush Administration led to his ouster.
"Ahmadinejad says that the program is peaceful. Ultimately, we do not believe him. Everyone knows that the program has military goals," French Presidential Spokesman David Martinon told a press conference on Thursday.
"The question is not settled. We have every reason to believe that what is being developed in the plant at Natanz (in central Iran) is not peaceful. We have a string of very powerful clues leading us to that conclusion," he added without elaborating on the alleged clues.
The remarks came while the IAEA in its recent report hailed Iran's cooperation with the nuclear watchdog and called on the world to support the trend. France has stepped up its rhetoric against Iran in recent weeks, drawing widespread criticism.
Analysts believe that Paris is following in the footsteps of former British PM Tony Blair whose unpopular policy of blind support for the Bush Administration led to his ouster.
Carter urges diplomacy in Iran case Former US President Jimmy Carter calls on Bush to establish diplomatic ties with Iran to resolve Iran's nuclear standoff with the West.
"The US should open diplomatic relations with Iran to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program. The US should reassure Iran it is not America's next military target. Diplomacy is the best way to deal with it," Carter said at Quinnipiac University on Wednesday.
"Iran is a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It has signed and sworn to abide by the NPT. It has denied any intention to use enriched uranium for weapons, claiming their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, "he added.
The former US president also criticized the Bush administration for striking a deal that would waive rules by allowing the US to supply India with nuclear fuel. India has frequently refused to sign the NPT and it has not allowed the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect all of its nuclear facilities.
" The US has become a 'prime obstacle' to preventing nuclear proliferation by rejecting treaties and by spending billions on a global shield against ballistic missiles," Carter concluded.
"The US should open diplomatic relations with Iran to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program. The US should reassure Iran it is not America's next military target. Diplomacy is the best way to deal with it," Carter said at Quinnipiac University on Wednesday."Iran is a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It has signed and sworn to abide by the NPT. It has denied any intention to use enriched uranium for weapons, claiming their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, "he added.
The former US president also criticized the Bush administration for striking a deal that would waive rules by allowing the US to supply India with nuclear fuel. India has frequently refused to sign the NPT and it has not allowed the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect all of its nuclear facilities.
" The US has become a 'prime obstacle' to preventing nuclear proliferation by rejecting treaties and by spending billions on a global shield against ballistic missiles," Carter concluded.
Via|PressTV
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