Despite an international agreement reached last week stipulating Iran stops uranium enrichment, remarks made by Iranian officials indicate that Tehran may not dismantle its nuclear program after all.
A top Iranian negotiator told AFP that Iran will not dismantle its nuclear program but is ready to assure that its uranium enrichment activities will not be used for creating weapons.
Chief Iranian Negotiator with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Seyev Hossein Mousavian told AFP that Iran “will never be prepared to completely dismantle its nuclear program.”
Iran has been under international scrutiny for about two years for allegedly developing nuclear weapons. Tehran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
An agreement was reached last week between Iran and European officials according to which Iran will receive benefits in return for suspending its uranium enrichment activities.
The agreement was made ahead of an IAEA meeting on Thursday where officials are to decide whether to refer the Iranian nuclear issue to the United Nations Security Council. If Iran is found to be in the wrong, it may face sanctions.
The United States has voiced doubts over the agreement. Outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell said last week that Iran is developing a missile that could be used as a vehicle for nuclear weapons.
Iranian officials have said that the agreement last week was not legally binding and that the suspension of uranium enrichment is “a voluntary postponing,” rather than a legal obligation.