AEOI Chief: No Choice for US but Interaction with Iran

(FNA)- The developments in the world and the US indicate that Washington has no way but interaction with Tehran, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi underlined, adding that Iran has also made efforts to obviate concerns about its nuclear program.

"Analyzing the current global issues realistically accompanied by the realities happening in the US, we come to the conclusion that the US has no way but interaction with Iran," Salehi said in an interview with the state-run TV on Tuesday night.

Stressing that Iran has logical demands and the world public opinion has understood this fact, he said, "We have made our utmost efforts to obviate their concerns through our technical measures and the existing treaties."

Salehi referred to the interim Joint Plan of Action inked by Tehran and the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) in Geneva in November, and said the Plan places no restrictions on Iran's Research and Development (R&D) but states that any R&D on nuclear materials should be carried out under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He said that Iran has accepted this but cannot accept any other limitations on its R&D program since everyone is entitled to this program as an inalienable right.

In relevant remarks yesterday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated the Iranian nation's inalienable right to develop peaceful nuclear technology, and said Tehran will never strike a deal with the six world powers which ignores or undermines its rights.

"We do not accept to reach a solution at all costs as we insist on our rights while trying to find an acceptable, logical and long-term solution," Zarif said in Vienna on Tuesday.

Asked about the future of negotiations between Iran and the world powers, he responded, "I hope that the other side will be ready to see the realities, take our word seriously and accept that the Iranian nation has never withdrawn under pressure."

He noted that the best way for dialogue with the Iranian nation is through respecting and trying to reach mutual understanding with them.

"If they come to this conclusion, which we hope to happen in the coming days, reaching a solution will be possible," Zarif said.

The sixth round of talks between Tehran and the G5+1 headed by the Iranian foreign minister and EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton officially started in Vienna last week to draft a final deal between the two sides.