‘Non-negotiable’: Iran reaffirms its ‘legal right’ to use peaceful nuclear energy
Iran has once again reiterated its “unchangeable” stance on the topics of discussions in the indirect talks with the United States, saying Tehran reserves a legal right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
“Our position and the principled framework under which we entered the negotiations [with the US] are unchangeable,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said at his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday.
“What is clear is that Iran’s principled positions regarding the peaceful use of nuclear energy are a legal right; one cannot be a party to a treaty to only accept its obligations,” he added, indicating that Iran needs to reap the benefits of a deal as well.
He rejected certain “fallacious” arguments about Iran’s nuclear energy which he said lack any scientific or factual basis, emphasizing that Iran reserves the right to be able to enrich uranium as a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Mediated by Oman, Iran and the US have held three rounds of talks in the Omani capital of Muscat and Italian capital of Rome on April 12, 19, and 26 with the aim of reaching a deal on Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of sanctions on Tehran.
Both parties have so far expressed satisfaction with the way the negotiations are moving on, praising the talks as “positive” and “moving forward.”
A fourth round of the talks was scheduled to be held on May 3 in Muscat but was postponed for “logistical and technical reasons” as cited by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
“Together with Omani and US interlocutors, we have decided to postpone the 4th round of talks for logistical and technical reasons,” Araghchi wrote on X on Thursday.
Iran ready to hold meeting with E3
Baghaei said Iran has expressed its readiness to meet with the European troika – France, Germany and Britain – since long time ago.
The sides were supposed to hold a meeting at the level of political directors in Rome but it was cancelled following the postponement of the high-level talks between Iran and the US, he added.
“We are ready to hold such a meeting and we should reach a consensus on the timing,” the Iranian spokesman emphasized.
In response to a question about the recent actions and remarks against Iran by French officials, Baghaei said, “We invite France and other European countries to play a constructive role in any negotiation process.”
He added that some of the positions taken by France have no basis in international law and are against its principles, emphasizing, “They are not logically acceptable.”
The spokesperson once again reiterated that Iran’s indirect talks with the US only cover the nuclear issues and the removal of sanctions and warned that certain irrelevant demands would not be helpful at all.
Asked about certain speculation on differences between Iran and the US, Baghaei said the Islamic Republic has proved its commitment to the continuation of the path of negotiations in practice.
He noted that the fourth round of Tehran-Washington was postponed upon a proposal by Oman which was agreed by the sides for the reasons which were announced by the Iranian foreign minister.
“We are waiting for Oman’s view regarding the future and the continuation of the negotiations,” the Iranian diplomat explained.
In response to a question about the cancellation of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned trip to Azerbaijan, Baghaei said any visit by the Israeli regime’s officials to any country is “ominous and unfortunate.”
He added that the Israeli officials have perpetrated the most heinous crimes against the people of Palestine, saying, “The entire world must act to prevent the normalization of these crimes.”
According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, his planned visit to Azerbaijan was canceled due to a “tight political schedule”. However, Israeli media have linked the cancellation to Turkey’s refusal to grant overflight permission for the prime minister’s official aircraft.
If attacked, Iran regards third country ‘legitimate target’
Baghaei further gave explanations about remarks made by Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh on Sunday night about targeting American bases in the region in case of any attack against the country.
He said the defense minister has placed emphasis on Iran’s brotherly ties with regional countries and that Tehran’s foreign policy is based on good neighborliness and friendship with all the countries in the region.
“All countries are duty-bound to prevent a third party’s action against another country. If a move is taken from the territory of a country against Iran’s territory, that point will constitute a legitimate target for [Iran to]”, Baghaei pointed out.
Speaking during a ceremony to unveil Iran’s latest ballistic missile, named Qassem Basir, Nasirzadeh said Iran has never initiated a war and will not start one in the future.
However, he warned that the country would respond decisively if attacked.
In the event of military aggression by the United States or Israel, the minister stated that Iran would target their interests, bases, and personnel wherever deemed necessary.
