The Bushehr nuclear-power plant's reactor
27 August 2005 -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator said today that new proposals from Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad will lead to what he called a "breakthrough" over the country's nuclear program.
Ali Larijani was quoted by Iranian news agencies as saying that Ahmadinejad has "new innovations," the details of which will be announced "soon."
Larijani also signaled that the initiative might be aimed at widening international involvement in the talks -- currently being led by Britain, France, and Germany -- the so called Euro-3.
He said countries from the Non-Aligned Movement, such China and Russia, "cannot be excluded" from the negotiations. Those countries are seen as being more sympathetic to Iran's effort to produce its own nuclear fuel.
Larijani said he did "not agree that the European countries are acting on the behalf of all nations."
Yesterday, Larijani said during talks with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Muhammad el-Baradei that Tehran is not worried about the threat of Iran being referred to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions over its nuclear activities.
"With the power that Iran enjoys in the region, there is no way that Iran can be worried about the threat of the Security Council," Larijani said. "I do not think that if the Iranian nuclear dossier becomes a security dossier, this will be in the interest of the Americans or the Europeans."
Larijani's talks in Vienna, Austria, came as el-Baradei is preparing to issue next month a new report on Iran's compliance with international nuclear safeguards.
IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming described the talks to RFE/RL: "It was a constructive meeting and, by all account, Mr. Larijani demonstrated a commitment to working closely with the IAEA to resolve these outstanding issues."
Fleming said some of those outstanding issues concern Iran's past uranium-enrichment activities.
Iran has refused calls to halt uranium conversion work that it resumed this month, saying it has the right to enrich uranium under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Iran denies allegations it may be trying to secretly develop a nuclear weapon.
(AFP/Reuters/AP)
See also:
Iran Looks Beyond Talks With 'Euro-3'
Russia Says Iran Not In Breach Of Nuclear Treaty
Defense Minister-Designate Says Iran To Focus On Missiles
Iran's Supreme Leader Says No To Nuclear Weapons
For RFE/RL's complete coverage of the controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program, see "Iran's Nuclear Program."
Larijani also signaled that the initiative might be aimed at widening international involvement in the talks -- currently being led by Britain, France, and Germany -- the so called Euro-3.
He said countries from the Non-Aligned Movement, such China and Russia, "cannot be excluded" from the negotiations. Those countries are seen as being more sympathetic to Iran's effort to produce its own nuclear fuel.
Larijani said he did "not agree that the European countries are acting on the behalf of all nations."
Yesterday, Larijani said during talks with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Muhammad el-Baradei that Tehran is not worried about the threat of Iran being referred to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions over its nuclear activities.
"With the power that Iran enjoys in the region, there is no way that Iran can be worried about the threat of the Security Council," Larijani said. "I do not think that if the Iranian nuclear dossier becomes a security dossier, this will be in the interest of the Americans or the Europeans."
Larijani's talks in Vienna, Austria, came as el-Baradei is preparing to issue next month a new report on Iran's compliance with international nuclear safeguards.
IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming described the talks to RFE/RL: "It was a constructive meeting and, by all account, Mr. Larijani demonstrated a commitment to working closely with the IAEA to resolve these outstanding issues."
Fleming said some of those outstanding issues concern Iran's past uranium-enrichment activities.
Iran has refused calls to halt uranium conversion work that it resumed this month, saying it has the right to enrich uranium under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Iran denies allegations it may be trying to secretly develop a nuclear weapon.
(AFP/Reuters/AP)
See also:
Iran Looks Beyond Talks With 'Euro-3'
Russia Says Iran Not In Breach Of Nuclear Treaty
Defense Minister-Designate Says Iran To Focus On Missiles
Iran's Supreme Leader Says No To Nuclear Weapons
For RFE/RL's complete coverage of the controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program, see "Iran's Nuclear Program."