Rafsanjani: Solution to Atomic Impasse in Talks

Reuters:

Iran's nuclear impasse could be resolved through diplomacy not confrontation, former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Friday after Tehran was warned it risked referral to the U.N. Security Council. "Passing a tough resolution or threatening Iran will not bring about the desired outcome," Rafsanjani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told worshippers at Tehran University. READ MORE

"Through talks, diplomacy and patience we can convince the globe about the peaceful nature of our activities," he said in the comments broadcast live on state radio.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution on Saturday recommending Iran be reported in the future to the Security Council for possible sanctions.

Iran's nuclear chief Gholamreza Aghazadeh said on Thursday Tehran would resume its uranium enrichment, which can be used to make atomic bombs, and stop allowing U.N. snap inspections of its atomic plants if its case is reported to the council.

The 35 nations on the governing board of the IAEA meet in November to discuss Iran's nuclear programme and the EU and the United States want it to report Tehran to the council.

Rafsanjani, head of the Expediency Council which arbitrates on legislative disputes between parliament and a hardline watchdog body, said Iran's decision to obtain peaceful nuclear technology was irreversible.

"Iran is determined to have peaceful nuclear technology. No intimidation or threat can make us give it up," he said, urging the United States and the Europeans to avoid adopting harsh measures at the next IAEA meeting.

"Such measures will have a high cost for you. Act wisely and logically," Rafsanjani told worshippers who chanted "Death to America".

About 100 Iranian worshippers rallied after the sermon, urging their leaders to press ahead with uranium enrichment activities. "Nuclear technology is our legitimate right," they chanted after burning British and U.S. flags.