Iran rejects nuclear technology ban
Demands from the UN atomic watchdog agency that Iran freeze all work on uranium enrichment – technology that can be used for nuclear weapons - were “illegal,” the country insisted today.
Hasan Rowhani, Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, told a news conference that his country would nonetheless continue with its voluntary suspension of what he described as “actual enrichment” – the injection of uranium gas into centrifuges.
But other activities, such as production, assembly and testing of centrifuges, would continue.
He said Iran would limit its cooperation with the UN International Atomic Energy Agency if the watchdog referred questions about its nuclear activities to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.
Rowhani spoke a day after the governing board of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency demanded that Iran freeze all work on uranium enrichment and said it would judge Tehran’s compliance in two months.
“We are committed to the suspension of actual enrichment but we have no decision to expand the suspension,” said Rowhani. “This demand is not legal and does not put any obligation on Iran. The IAEA board of governors has no right to make such a suspension obligatory for any country.”
US officials are insisting the 35-member board must refer Iran to the UN Security Council when it meets again on November 25 if Tehran doesn’t comply. Iran rejects US accusations it wants nuclear weapons, saying its activities are only in pursuit of energy.
“There is no justification to refer Iran’s nuclear dossier to the Security Council,” Rowhani said. “If one day they refer Iran’s nuclear dossier to the UN Security Council, that day ... Iran will stop implementing the additional protocol and will limit its cooperation with the IAEA ....”
Under the additional protocol, Iran has agreed to unfettered inspections of its nuclear facilities.
