Iran says uranium enrichment "inalienable" right

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Iran says uranium enrichment "inalienable" right

(Xinhua) 08:39, November 18, 2013

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TEHRAN, Nov. 17 -- Iran's uranium enrichment activities is an inalienable right endorsed by the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of which the Islamic republic is a signatory country, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said on Sunday.

"Iran's enrichment right does not need recognition (by the powers), because it is an indispensable right based on the NPT. What we expect is respecting this right," Zarif was quoted as saying by semi-official ISNA news agency.

"Iran has practised its uranium enrichment rights over the past years," said Zarif, adding this right has not been respected and sanctions have been imposed against the country.

The world powers need to lift sanctions against Iran and respect the country's rights, he emphasized.

"We believe that Iran's enrichment right is non-negotiable and there is no necessity to recognize it as a right, because it is an inseparable right which should be respected by all sides," he added.

However, the Iranian foreign minister pointed out in the former talks with the P5+1 countries -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- that the issue of a halt in uranium enrichment by Iran was not raised by the other side.

"We have not heard it during talks with the P5+1. No one wants pause in enrichment. The issue has not been demanded by any party in general," Zarif was quoted as saying.

The Iranian foreign minister's remarks came a few days ahead of fresh round of talks between Iran and world major powers.

Iran and six world powers had held talks earlier this month in a bid to reach a preliminary agreement on Iran's nuclear program. While the talks fell apart, a second round is slated for next Wednesday.

On Saturday, Iran's nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, said his country and the world powers would meet in the coming days for " tough" nuclear talks.

"It is predicted that we will have tough negotiations and no agreement will be reached unless the nuclear rights of Iranian nation are met," Semi-official Mehr news agency quoted Araqchi as saying.

Israel is dead against any deal of the world powers with the Islamic republic over its controversial nuclear program. Instead, officials of the Jewish state push for intensifying western sanctions against Iran which they believe will ultimately make the Islamic republic give up its nuclear program.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed any potential nuclear deal with Tehran which may provide some chances for maintenance of Iran's nuclear activities.