Source: VOA NewsIran's foreign ministry spokesman says Tehran plans to take legal action after
being rebuked by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over its nuclear
program
A satellite view of Fordow facility near Qom, Iran
(Photograph: DIGITAL GLOBE)
Iran says its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman says Tehran plans to take legal action after
being rebuked by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over its nuclear
program.
Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast criticized the International
Atomic Energy Agency rebuke of Tehran's nuclear program and expressed
displeasure with those U.N. member countries that voted in favor of it.
In a measured and even tone of voice, Mehmanparast stressed Tehran would protest
the censure by sending written complaints to the countries that supported it.
He says Tehran will send short notes of complaint to those countries that
unfairly criticized (Iran) over its (nuclear program), with an explanation about
why they were wrong.
Mehmanparast added Iran would "not give up its rights," to produce nuclear
power, and issued a vague threat to take legal action against those trying to
prevent it from doing so.
He also took jabs at China and Russia for supporting the IAEA censure, but
insisted strategic relations with both countries would continue. Iranian
officials have slammed Russia in recent weeks for delays in completing a nuclear
plant at Bushehr and in delivering S-300 air defense missiles.
At a press conference in Tehran, Mehmanparast suggested Western nations are
"over-reacting" to Iran's announcement Sunday it would build 10 new nuclear
enrichment facilities.
"Iran," he told a journalist, "needs the (nuclear) fuel from those plants to
meet its energy needs and to remain energy self-sufficient."
Former National Security Council member and Iran analyst Gary Sick poked fun at
Iran's declared intent to build 10 new enrichment facilities, noting that it
would "take 500 years to complete the program as announced."
The IAEA's outgoing Director General, Mohammed al-Baradei, whose tenure at the
agency ended Monday, wrote in his final report last week that the agency has
"been able to verify that no known stocks of nuclear fuel have been diverted
from authorized uses."
Gary Sick concludes that Iran's recent pattern of making exaggerated claims is
an example of "classic blustery [by President Mahmoud] Ahmedinejad."
"It is also the kind of ante-raising that one might expect in a negotiating
game of 'chicken.'" he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ahmedinejad's brother-in-law and political ally, Esfandiar Rahim
Meshaie, indicated that stern measures could be taken against five British
yachtsmen who strayed into Iranian territorial waters, if it was proven that
they had, what he called, evil intentions."
... Payvand News - 12/02/09 ... --
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