.contact us |.about us
News > International News ... ...
Search:
    Advertisement
Khamenei says Iran nuke co-operation has limits
( 2003-11-04 09:15) (Agencies)

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Tehran would end co-operation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog if further demands undermined Iran's national interests, state television said on Monday.

It was the first time Khamenei, who has the last word on all state matters in the Islamic Republic, had aired his views on Iran's deal, struck with three European foreign ministers, to suspend uranium enrichment and sign up to snap nuclear checks.

"If we reach the point that Iran's national interests and values are threatened, we will not hesitate to stop our co-operation," he said. "Anyone who ever tries to challenge Iran's peaceful nuclear program will be slapped in the face."

Iran strongly denies U.S. charges its nuclear program is as a smokescreen for developing atomic weapons.

Washington said on Monday it wanted "decisive action aimed at ensuring full Iranian compliance with its safeguards obligations" when International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei presents his report on Iran this month.

"Threats from Iran to end such cooperation... would be gravely troubling and would further deepen the international community's concerns that Iran continues to have something to hide from the IAEA," State Department spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters in Washington.

But a Western diplomat told Reuters in Vienna it was almost inconceivable that Iran would end co-operation with the IAEA, as a number of hardline Iranian officials have threatened.

"They are not so stupid," said the diplomat.

If Iran were to end its co-operation with the agency, the diplomat said the IAEA board would not hesitate to report this to the U.N. Security Council, which could impose sanctions.

The diplomat said Iran would probably escape being reported to the Security Council at the IAEA's governing board meeting in November, despite repeated failures to inform the agency about its past nuclear activities and facilities.

NO SURRENDER

Khamenei said Iran had not bowed to pressure in striking a deal with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany who wanted proof that Tehran was not seeking nuclear weapons.

"Iran made a correct and wise decision and it does not mean surrender. It neutralized the American and Zionist plot," he said in a speech to senior officials.

Some Iranian hard-liners have criticized the deal to open up Iran's nuclear installations to snap checks, which they view as a concession to foreign pressure.

But Khamenei said Iran's interests had not yet been harmed.

"When I feel that a step has been taken against the interests of the system, I will end co-operation," he said.

Iran last month handed over what it called a "comprehensive and transparent" declaration of its nuclear program to the IAEA. ElBaradei said on Sunday the agency was in the process of verifying the declaration.

 
Close  
   
  Today's Top News   Top International News
   
+Currency politics: Escalating US pressure on rmb
( 2003-11-04)
+New satellite blasts into orbit
( 2003-11-04)
+Sino-Pak pledge to fight the '3 evils'
( 2003-11-04)
+Stable yuan exchange rate supported
( 2003-11-04)
+Laws on IPR to be extended
( 2003-11-04)
+Indonesian resort flooding kills 71
( 2003-11-04)
+Khodorkovsky quits as YUKOS chief
( 2003-11-04)
+Israel outrage at 'peace threat' EU poll
( 2003-11-04)
+Khamenei says Iran nuke co-operation has limits
( 2003-11-04)
+US Congress oks $87.5B for Iraq, Afghanistan
( 2003-11-04)
   
  Go to Another Section  
     
 
 
     
  Article Tools  
     
 
 
     
  Related Articles  
     
 

+Iran angry over demands on nuke agreement
2003-11-03

+Iran declaration seems comprehensive -El Baradei
2003-10-31

+Iran won't hand over al-Qaeda detainees
2003-10-29

+United States prepared to resume contacts with Iran
2003-10-29

+US isolated on Iran nuke programme-diplomats
2003-10-24

+Iran admits it kept secrets from UN nuke watchdog
2003-10-24

+UN watchdog to study Iran nuclear documents
2003-10-23

+Iran yields to UN nuclear demands
2003-10-22

+EU ministers arrive in Iran for nuclear talks
2003-10-21

+Khatami hints Iran may stop uranium enrichment
2003-10-20

+Iran says it has no plans to build nuclear arms
2003-10-17

+Iran vows to answer nuclear concerns
2003-10-17

+Kharazi says Iran wants to end nuclear dispute
2003-09-29

 
     
   
        .contact us |.about us
  Copyright By chinadaily.com.cn. All rights reserved