Text Only
Search

Iranian Spokesman: Stance on Nuclear Program Unchanged

05 July 2008

An Iranian technician works at the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facilities (UCF), 420 kms south of Tehran (File)
An Iranian technician works at the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facilities (UCF), 420 kms south of Tehran (File)
A government spokesman says Iran is ready to hold talks with world powers about its nuclear program.

But he also says Iran's position has not changed and that Tehran will not give up its right to enrich uranium.

The remarks Saturday by Gholamhossein Elham come one day after Iran submitted its official response to a package of incentives, drawn up by six world powers - Russia, China, France, Germany, Britain and the United States.

The six governments are offering Iran economic and trade benefits if it agrees to stop enriching uranium, a process that can be used to produce nuclear weapons.

There was no word on the content of Iran's reply, which was submitted to European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Brussels Friday.

Iran's state news agency (IRNA) quotes top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili as saying Tehran prepared its response with a "constructive and creative attitude" and by focusing on common ground.

The United States and its allies accuse Iran of working to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran says its atomic program is for peaceful purposes.

Separately, Iran's state news agency says the head of the country's elite Revolutionary Guards has warned that Iran will consider military action against its nuclear facilities the start of a war. The agency quotes General Mohammad Ali Jafari as saying any country that attacks Iran will regret doing so.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.




emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
Iran Responds to International Nuclear Incentives Package
US Expert: No Easy Options for Dealing With Iran Nukes
Iran Says Four Missing Iranians Alive in Israel After 26 Years
 
  Top Story
12 Dead Including Mayor in Pakistan Suicide Bomb Attack

  More Stories
17 Rebels Killed in Afghan Battle
Dalai Lama Rejects Chinese Criticism of Monastery Visit  Audio Clip Available
China's Premier Pledges $10 billion in Loans to Africa
APEC Leaders to Focus on Creating Economic Growth at Singapore Meeting  Audio Clip Available
US House Approves Health Care Reform Measure  Audio Clip Available
G20: Financial Stimulus Still Needed to Stabilize Economic Recovery
Iran Lawmakers Say Tehran Will Reject UN-Backed Nuclear Deal
Afghanistan: NATO Strike Kills 7 Afghan Security Members  Audio Clip Available
Israelis Rally for Peace on Rabin Anniversary
Obama Praises Those Who Ended Fort Hood Rampage
Afghanistan Rejects UN Criticism of Karzai
Navy Ship Honoring 9/11 Victims is Commissioned Into Fleet
China's Wen Promises Greater Cooperation With Arab Nations  Audio Clip Available
Iraqi Parliament Fails Again to Approve New Electoral Law
Medvedev: Not All Hopes Realized After Berlin Wall Fell