Iran consults with Russia on nuclear issue

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki today said that he held telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the current stage of Iranian nuclear program.

He told parliamentary reporters at Majlis that he reviewed the current stage of national program with Lavrov and provided him with necessary replies to his questions.

Mottaki said that he and Lavrov took an initiative according to which an Iranian delegation went to Russia to hold talks with Russian officials and European delegation in Moscow.

He said that Iranian delegation will clarify Iranian nuclear policy in presence of the negotiating parties and would explore grounds for a comprehensive plan for recognition of Iranian rights as envisaged by Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and measures to reinforce NPT as well.

Concerning the meeting of deputy foreign ministers of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (5+1) in Moscow on Tuesday, the minister said that the outcome of the talks held behind closed doors, possibly focusing on Iran's nuclear activities, was not disclosed.

Expediency Council (EC) Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said yesterday that the enemies are aiming to block Iran's progress and development. He said threats leveled by the enemies against Iran after its success in accessing advanced technology in various fields point to the depth of their hostility towards the country.

"The enemy is angry with Iran for supporting the legitimate rights of oppressed people," Rezaei said. He further argued that enemies were trying to block the Islamic Revolution's path to progress and hoping they would pin down the country saying "A combination of blasphemy and efforts to create divisions are at work now to harm Iran," and added that the age of resistance is not over.

Asked about the latest statement of US President George W. Bush about Iran, Mottaki said that Iranian nuclear case has a bright path and it is diplomatic channels within International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) focusing on respect for Iranian legitimate rights envisaged for signatories of NPT and subsequent commitments.

Foreign Minister Mottaki said that Iran believes that the way it opted for national nuclear program is the best one and there is no other choice.