Iran in nuclear talks to build confidence: Araqchi

A senior Iranian nuclear negotiator says the Islamic Republic entered negotiations with the six world powers in order to build confidence over its nuclear energy activities.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi said late on Wednesday that during the Geneva negotiations between Tehran and the P5+1 group – which comprises Russia, China, France, the UK, the US and Germany – “We did not give any concession to the Western side, but we built confidence to protect the Iranian nation’s dignity and independence.”

Araqchi said that the confidence-building measures include some restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities and expanded supervisions by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He, however, stressed that limitations on Iran’s nuclear energy program for a certain period of time is not tantamount to giving concessions.

Iran and the six powers are in talks to hammer out a long-term deal aimed at fully resolving the decade-old dispute over Iran’s nuclear energy program.

Under the Geneva deal, the P5+1 group undertook to provide Iran with some sanctions relief in exchange for Iran agreeing to limit certain aspects of its nuclear activities during a six-month period. Based on the agreement that took effect on January 20, it was also agreed that no nuclear-related sanctions would be imposed on Iran within the same timeframe.

Pointing to the country’s nuclear achievements and know-how, Araqchi said that Iran is negotiating with the West from position of power and strength.

The Iranian official also said sanctions had not forced the country to negotiations, noting that Iran has managed to consolidate its position in the nuclear issue despite countless threats, sanctions and tough resolutions during the past ten years.

On January 9, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei rejected the idea that Iran was forced to enter into negotiations under the pressure of sanctions, saying, “We have announced previously as well that the Islamic Republic will, on the certain issues that it deems expedient, negotiate with this Satan in order to ward off its evil and resolve the issue.”