TEHRAN, 17 August 2006 — Iran’s foreign minister said yesterday his country was ready to discuss suspension of its sensitive nuclear enrichment work, a point categorically rejected by senior officials in the past.
“Even the proposal to suspend enrichment, which we regard as illogical, can be discussed in negotiations,” Manouchehr Mottaki told a press conference.
The minister did not elaborate on just what Iran might be prepared to discuss.
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution requiring Iran to suspend all activities related to uranium enrichment by Aug. 31 or risk possible sanctions.
The five UN Security Council members, plus Germany, expect Tehran’s response on Aug. 22 to a package of incentives in return for suspending enrichment.
Mottaki said any negotiations should “guarantee obtaining the Iranian people’s rights as well as clearing up any questions, ambiguities and concerns regarding the Islamic republic’s peaceful nuclear activities.” “We will not back down on our legitimate rights under any conditions,” he vowed.
Iran has repeatedly insisted its nuclear program is for civil purposes only despite Western concerns that it may be cover for an attempt to develop the bomb.
Mottaki described the UN resolution as “political” and “of no value for Iran.” Since the UN Security Council’s resolution on July 31, Iran has repeatedly stressed that it will not accept suspending enrichment as a precondition for talks on the incentive package.
As recently as Tuesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad rejected the resolution by saying: “If they think they can use a resolution as a stick against us, they should know that Iranian people do not bend to language of force.” But in the event Iran sticks to its current position and defies the resolution, the country may have to deal with the consequence of sanctions.
Iran for its part has said it is ready for the challenge, said Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Sheikh-Attar. “The government has considered necessary measures to confront any sanction. Under the worst conditions, we have the capability to face threats and find foreign and domestic alternatives,” the official news agency IRNA quoted him as saying.
“Playing games with Iran’s economy by creating restrictions will be very costly for the West,” he warned, alluding to probable economic shocks. “They will lose Iran’s market for Western goods. Besides, Iran is OPEC’s second oil producer.”
Washington has said it will seek swift economic and political sanctions against Iran, either in tandem with other states via the United Nations or unilaterally. Russia and China, however, have extensive relations with Tehran and are expected to argue in favor of further negotiations.
New Mideast Without Western Meddling
Yesterday, President Ahmadinejad said he wanted a new Middle East — a phrase that echoes language used by the US administration — but one without “the hegemony of America and Britain.”
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said during the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel that the violence marked the birth pangs of a new Middle East.
“In fact our nations also want a new Middle East. The Middle East that our nations want is a free Middle East, free from the hegemony of America and Britain,” Ahmadinejad said during a rally in northwest Iran.
