No slowdown in peaceful nuclear activities: Iran

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has dismissed claims that the country’s nuclear activities have slowed down, saying the Islamic Republic’s peaceful nuclear work is well underway on all fronts.

“Certain comments that part of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear activities have slowed down are false and unfounded,” AEOI Director Ali Akbar Salehi told reporters on Wednesday.

“We will not compromise on any [of our] red lines and any of our rights stipulated in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” Salehi told reporters on Wednesday following a Tehran conference.

Salehi further rejected reports that IAEA inspectors have taken samples at the Arak nuclear site in central Iran during their recent inspection of the nuclear facility, saying “no samples were taken from the Arak site and [IAEA] experts only visited it.”

He also dismissed reports by certain foreign media quoting some Western officials as saying that their ultimate goal is to halt Tehran’s nuclear energy program and said, “Indubitably, enrichment is the Iranian nation’s inalienable right.”

He added that such statements are the interpretations of the Western officials themselves, and that Iran is resolute in exercising its right.

“We are witnessing some mischievous conduct (concerning Iran’s nuclear energy program), but we will move forward with the talks [with the six world powers] and there are no worries,” Salehi underlined.

He emphasized that the AEOI will “absolutely move forward within the framework set by the Leader” of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and reassured the Iranian nation that the country’s nuclear activities are moving full steam ahead in line with national interests.

Iran’s top nuclear official, who is also a vice president, further quoted President Hassan Rouhani as saying that hopefully ground will be broken in the southern city of Bushehr for a new power plant.

Salehi and the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano signed a joint statement in Tehran on November 12 on a roadmap for more cooperation on outstanding nuclear issues.

Under the deal, Iran agreed, on a voluntary basis, to allow IAEA inspectors to visit the Arak heavy water plant and the Gachin mine. The IAEA Safeguards Agreement does not require Tehran to authorize IAEA inspection of these sites.