Iranian president warns against Security Council intervention into nuclear program
© AP
12.09.2007 19:33:12
(live-PR.com) - TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned Wednesday against U.N. Security Council intervention into his country's disputed nuclear activities in a television interview.
His remarks came the same day that the Islamic Republic's top nuclear negotiator said that any new U.N. sanctions against Iran would end their cooperation with the organization's nuclear watchdog.
«The
work should be continued with (International Atomic Energy) agency, others should not intervene,» said Ahmadinejad in a short live television interview. «We do not have any problem with the agency.
«We are ready to do all our commitments in the framework of the agency,» he added, noting that Iran's nuclear program was considered political only by a few countries, in an apparent reference to the U.S. and Britain.
The hardline president advised the U.S. to end its hegemonic behavior, adding that «its era is coming to the end.
He reiterated that his country would not negotiate over its nuclear rights but said Tehran was ready to address international concerns regarding its nuclear activities.
He did not say what Iran's reaction would be if the council impose new round of sanctions against his country, but negotiator Ali Larijani made it clear that sanctions would harm the country's relations with the IAEA.
«Cooperation will be in danger. The cooperation which is currently taking place with a positive outlook will be halted,» Ali Larijani told reporters. «One side should not be smiling and the other side answer with a frown.
«You issued two (sanction) resolutions against Iran and we did not give in,» Larijani said, though he added that «we are ready for understanding on any level ... we take one step and you take a step in return. They raise questions, we answer.
The IAEA issued a report in August describing improved cooperation from Iran in revealing the state of its nuclear program, but the United States still claims it is a cover for developing weapons and has called for further sanctions.
Larijani criticized the U.S. for its aggressive approach to Iran's nuclear program, but dismissed its significance. «Threats by the U.S. (to attack Iran) is not a new thing. It has always retreated in the end and their fearsome roars are mostly just the horns of retreat.
«If Americans do make such a mistake (to attack Iran), it will be the last nail on the coffin of neo-conservatives,» he added.
«The response will be traumatic. It will damage the entire region,» said Larijani. «They may begin something but its end will not be in their hands. If they have an iota of wisdom, they will not make such mistakes.
His remarks came the same day that the Islamic Republic's top nuclear negotiator said that any new U.N. sanctions against Iran would end their cooperation with the organization's nuclear watchdog.
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«We are ready to do all our commitments in the framework of the agency,» he added, noting that Iran's nuclear program was considered political only by a few countries, in an apparent reference to the U.S. and Britain.
The hardline president advised the U.S. to end its hegemonic behavior, adding that «its era is coming to the end.
He reiterated that his country would not negotiate over its nuclear rights but said Tehran was ready to address international concerns regarding its nuclear activities.
He did not say what Iran's reaction would be if the council impose new round of sanctions against his country, but negotiator Ali Larijani made it clear that sanctions would harm the country's relations with the IAEA.
«Cooperation will be in danger. The cooperation which is currently taking place with a positive outlook will be halted,» Ali Larijani told reporters. «One side should not be smiling and the other side answer with a frown.
«You issued two (sanction) resolutions against Iran and we did not give in,» Larijani said, though he added that «we are ready for understanding on any level ... we take one step and you take a step in return. They raise questions, we answer.
The IAEA issued a report in August describing improved cooperation from Iran in revealing the state of its nuclear program, but the United States still claims it is a cover for developing weapons and has called for further sanctions.
Larijani criticized the U.S. for its aggressive approach to Iran's nuclear program, but dismissed its significance. «Threats by the U.S. (to attack Iran) is not a new thing. It has always retreated in the end and their fearsome roars are mostly just the horns of retreat.
«If Americans do make such a mistake (to attack Iran), it will be the last nail on the coffin of neo-conservatives,» he added.
«The response will be traumatic. It will damage the entire region,» said Larijani. «They may begin something but its end will not be in their hands. If they have an iota of wisdom, they will not make such mistakes.
