UNSC not end of the world

Commenting on the European Union resolution to report Iran to the UN Security Council, which was approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on Saturday, Asefi said, “The Security Council is not the end of the world.”

“Iran’s referral or report to the UN will inflict greater damage on the opposite side and we were and are ready for this situation,” he told reporters at his weekly press briefing.

"Iran has chosen its path wisely. We have devised strategies for all scenarios.

“Iran has passed through more difficult situations wisely in the past, especially during the (1980-1988) Iraqi imposed war.”

Asefi noted that Europe is unable to carry out a great diplomatic task. 

On the recent emergency session of the IAEA Board, Asefi noted, “We considered this session to be politicized and unnecessary.

“The result of the session was politicized and no attention was paid to the viewpoints of (IAEA Director General Mohamed) ElBaradei, who wanted time to present a report on Iran in March.”

Referring to the pressure imposed by certain Western states during the session, he said, “It is natural that weak countries and those states which have a limited diplomatic potential were overtaken by such pressures."

He praised the stance adopted by the countries that voted against the resolution or abstained, saying Iran would remember their decision.

Asefi expressed regret that Russia and China voted against Iran, but said that Iran had never counted on them.

He stated that the nuclear rights of the Iranian nation are the most important issue which “we will never renounce”.

On Iran’s response to the IAEA Board decision, Asefi said the Islamic Republic is obliged to halt its voluntary cooperation with the agency according to a bill ratified by the Majlis.  

However, Iran sees no impasse arising in its cooperation with the IAEA, he noted.

“Suspension of voluntary measures does not mean reducing the country's cooperation with the IAEA.

"The situation has become more difficult, but we will cooperate with the agency within the framework of the Safeguards Agreement and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

“Voluntary measures were not among Iran's responsibilities. Iran implemented such measures following an agreement with Europe.

“We need (another) Majlis ratification to implement further voluntary measures beyond our responsibilities within the framework of the NPT.

“The president (Mahmud Ahmadinejad) has also ordered that the Majlis approval be enforced (if the country is reported or referred to the UNSC).

"I don’t think any other NPT member state has cooperated with the IAEA as much as Iran has over the past three years.”

Asefi noted that the door for negotiation is still open, adding, “We are ready to hold talks with various countries and will use our potential.”

He stressed the importance of the IAEA maintaining a professional and technical approach, saying Iran had fully cooperated with the IAEA deputy director during his recent trip to Tehran.

"Unfortunately, the politicized atmosphere did not allow the IAEA Board to focus on technical and expert work.”

Asefi went on to say that Tehran would hold a second round of talks with Moscow as scheduled on February 16, but added that a Russian proposal that Moscow enrich Iran's uranium would have to be adjusted in light of the “current situation”.

Asked whether Iran would resume uranium enrichment work at the Natanz nuclear facility or remove the IAEA cameras from the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility, he said, “This is a technical issue and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) will announce it when the time comes.”

Asefi offers condolences to Manila over stadium stampede

Elsewhere in his remarks, Asefi offered his condolences to the government and people of the Philippines over the death of 74 people in a stampede at a stadium in Manila.

He noted that the people and government of Iran were deeply moved by the tragic incident in which 400 people were also injured.

Iran recalls ambassador from Denmark

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said that Iran has recalled its ambassador to Denmark over the publication of offensive cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad (S).

"Freedoms should be accompanied by responsibility," he stated.

Denmark's largest newspaper Jyllands-Posten ran 12 cartoons last September, including one of the Prophet (S) with a turban resembling a bomb.

The publication of the cartoons, which have been reprinted in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, and Poland, has sparked anger across the Islamic world.

MNA