TEHRAN, 1 December 2004 — Iran claimed victory in its nuclear dispute yesterday, saying it has isolated the United States while preserving its right to enrich uranium.
Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Hasan Rowhani, told reporters the resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday was a “great success for Iran and Europeans.” “We have proved that our enemies are liars,” Rowhani said, referring to US suspicions that Iran is secretly trying to produce nuclear weapons.
The resolution authorized IAEA head Mohamed El-Baradei to supervise Iran’s commitment to freeze uranium enrichment and all related activities. The resolution followed a Nov. 7 agreement on suspending uranium enrichment and related activities that Britain, France, Germany had negotiated with Iran to stave off tougher action by the UN nuclear agency. The United States has been pushing the IAEA to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.
After the resolution, US chief delegate Jackie Sanders told the IAEA there were still more than a dozen questions about Iran’s nuclear intentions and the agency could not “offer the necessary assurances that Iran is not attempting to produce nuclear material for weapons.” Rowhani was dismissive of US arguments.
“We proved we have the power to isolate the United States,” Rowhani said.
“Despite American propaganda, Iran has not abandoned fuel cycle and it will not do that,” Rowhani said, referring to enrichment. Uranium enriched to low grades is used for fuel in nuclear reactors, but further enrichment makes it suitable for atomic bombs.
Rowhani said the resolution had given Iran a big boost: “This new situation is a turning point in Iran’s nuclear case because, for the first time, the (IAEA) board of governors acknowledged Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear activities.” He warned, however, that Iran’s suspension of enrichment and related activities was temporary.
“We explicitly declare that the period of suspension will be merely for the duration of talks with Europeans and nothing more,” Rowhani said, referring to negotiations with the European Union for advanced nuclear technology as well as economic aid.
“The negotiation period is a matter of few months, not (a) year,” he said. “If talks reach a dead end, or fail to make progress, the suspension will be over.”
