Iran will not compensate for Europe’s political weakness: Naseri

Tehran Times Political Desk:

Iranian nuclear negotiator Sirus Naseri said here on Thursday that Iran will not compensate for Europe’s political weakness.

“We have to make a logical decision at this juncture. If the Europeans fail to do so, then they are not powerful enough and we cannot compensate for their political weakness,” he told Iranian television. READ MORE

Naseri noted that differences of opinion between Iran and Europe were limited during the London session of April 29, but that the sides disagreed on when Iran should implement its proposal, the contents of which both parties had agreed upon.

“Europe seeks to postpone the implementation of Iran’s plan in order to consult with the United States and to make its final decision after Iran’s presidential election. “The first reason is comprehensible for Iran but the second reason is illogical.”

Naseri added that Iran has presented the three European Union representatives -- Britain, Germany and France -- with the generalities of its proposal, compiled in four stages.

“If we see that an agreement with the European three is not possible, we will accelerate our (nuclear) activities,” AFP quoted him as saying.

"If the Europeans don't do anything, we will go to the next stage in little time," he said, referring to Tehran's plan to resume enrichment activities at the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility.

This is neither a threat nor an ultimatum but a logical way to continue with the current process, Naseri said.

If the European negotiators use threats, the response in terms of threats is perfectly ready, he added. “At any rate, we won't be the first to make threats,” he observed. “There is a solution on the table and we are ready to resolve the problem… but we do not have much time to give to the Europeans."

“We gave the Europeans three months to present a proposal on objective guarantees from Iran. “We said we are ready to discuss anything except for the foolish idea to halt enrichment.” Elsewhere in his remarks, Naseri said that Iran plans to produce nuclear fuel, adding, “We plan to complete the nuclear facility in Natanz.”

He went on to say that access to the complete nuclear fuel cycle is inevitable for Iran, despite the political challenges and problems, noting that even if an agreement is not reached now, Europe and the U.S. would eventually be obliged to negotiate with Iran.

Naseri also stated that it is possible that the threats against Iran will continue.

“The country should prepare for a rough time. The nuclear issue is not a simple matter,” he said.