Zarif: Negotiations still to continue for next 3 months

Zarif attended a press conference after reading the joint statement by EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini in Rolex hall of Lausanne’s Polytechnic University.

Zarif told reporters that Iran had attended negotiations ‘responsibly’ to address concerns voiced by international community; “we have been arguing that our nuclear activities are totally peaceful, and sanctions against Iran are neither humane nor respecting human rights principles,” Zarif told the press, “the joint press statement acts as an agreement on and mutual understanding of solutions to draft the comprehensive Action Plan,” he added.

“Iran will pursue its research and science projects; our reactors should upgrade to latest cutting edge technology; with Fordow centrifuges, we will remain committed to our responsibilities; we will focus on our activities on Natanz; on the other hand, the UN resolutions should be eliminated, along with complete removal of US government and Congress sanctions against Iran,” Zarif emphasized.

Zarif demanded that Iranian universities and academic centers be allowed place to compete in academic excellence; “no sanctions should target and render ineffective our academic centers as well,” he added.

“What is raised as the issue of ‘Iran’s cloak of nuclear secrecy’ is to see the empty half of the glass, which would benefit no one in the negotiations; what is today agreed upon as ‘different solutions to reach comprehensive agreement’ hinges upon a win-win approach to negotiations, which stipulates removal of any unfair sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Zarif asserted.

“At the same time,” Zarif held, “Iran will continue nuclear program, and will address concerns by international community and restore trust in its program through a number of actions.”

On a question about Iran and the international community, Zarif said that Iran had never sought isolation and had always tried integration and cooperation; “it is crucial for Iran to take steps to demonstrate that its nuclear program is peaceful,” said he, adding that Iran-US relations had nothing to do with nuclear negotiations; “we expect to see the other side act according to its commitments, refraining from sabotage actions in the negotiations process,” he demanded.

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