Iranian officials says Bush threats not taken seriously
Iran-USA, Politics, 4/25/2006

Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani today said that US President George Bush's recent threats about using nuclear weapons against Iran in attacking its nuclear facilities should not be taken seriously.

Iranian officials had indicated that a solution is possible to what they say is a politically motivated issue, so long as the goals are technical and are focused to ensure that Iran's programs are for civil and not weapons' development, and as such, Iran is willing to give the needed assurances in this regard. Iran said it will not allow these issues to be used as a cover to infringe on its rights to full development for its civil nuclear development.

Larijani said that Iran has been through more difficult situations. He stressed that Iran would stop using kind language if it were subjected to bullying and violence.

In response to a question on US efforts to draw Europeans to their side in the nuclear standoff with Iran, the SNSC secretary said: "The US has no need to encourage the Europeans. This will have no advantage for Europe."

He said "Europe is wise to the extent that it is currently following up settlement of Iran's nuclear case although it is under US pressure."

"The Islamic Republic of Iran does not want to humiliate any country. The US should know it will lose its prestige in the world if it attacks Iran," he said.

"We are ready for a reasoned approach and for peaceful means to settle the issue but will give an appropriate response if the US uses tough language."
He warned the US against using threats "to deter Iran from its path," saying it should ponder its moves and weight their
consequences.

"If the US decides to impose sanctions on Iran, we will halt our cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," he declared.

"Those who believe that the Iranian nation will give up its right through such threats are mistaken," he said.

About the Iran-US talks on Iraq, he said that before anything else, the American administration should solve the problems they themselves are facing.

"Earlier we did not pay much attention to the US call for discussing Iraq with us. However, the Iraqi leaders requested us to proceed with such talks, given their belief that this will help settle their affairs. Then we agreed to negotiate with the US," he added.

In response to the question whether Iran will suspend its uranium enrichment in the remaining time, he said that any reasonable proposal will be welcomed and he asked for the reason why Iran should suspend the process.

Replying to another reporter who called on him to announce the second good nuclear news, he said, "The issue of great importance to the nation is celebrating the birth of nuclear technology, which has taken place, while the first step was putting into operation the 164 centrifuges. The next step aims to make more centrifuges operational." Concerning the date such a step is expected, Larijani said that once this is implemented, it will be announced.

Previous Stories:
  Iran's FM criticizes US policies on Iraq   (4/24/2006)
  US concern about Iran's entity, not nuclear issue   (4/24/2006)
  US: Iran approaches point of no-return on acquiring a nuclear program   (4/22/2006)

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