Europe succeeds in delaying Iran's Uranium enrichment start date
Iran-European Union, Politics, 5/30/2005

Europe and the US has succeeded in delaying Iran's civil nuclear program. However, it is not clear to what extent this Iranian delay will last further last in light the Guardian Council's decision passing a law calling on the government to pursue Iran's nuclear interests.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said Yesterday that Tehran would continue suspension of its uranium enrichment activities, if the EU latest proposal was accepted by the Iranian senior officials.

IRNA reported: "Should the authorities accept the EU proposal, we will continue suspension of the enrichment program, otherwise, the Uranium Conversion Facility of Isfahan will resume its activities," Asefi told domestic and foreign reporters during his weekly press conference.

Asefi said that the EU were playing a game to delay Iran from starting enrichment, "They have also been told that Tehran red lines are irreversible," Asefi said noting that the Iranian negotiators stressed that Tehran "will never abandon its nuclear fuel cycle program and asked them (EU-3 foreign ministers) to include the issue of uranium enrichment, too, in their proposal for Iran," he stated.

Meantime, The New York Times reported that Iran's Guardian Council on Saturday "approved a law forcing Iran to develop nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment. " The report added the Council's decision was a clear challenge to European negotiators trying to persuade Iran to abandon the program, a lawmaker said. Iran has previously asserted it is ready to restart its program in a matter of days.

Previous Stories:
  Khatami: Iran is also entitled to peaceful use of nuclear technology   (5/28/2005)
  Iran to decide on European nuclear proposal   (5/27/2005)
  Iran backtracks on pledge to restart nuclear enrichment activities in days   (5/26/2005)

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