SNSC must decide on direct Iran-US talks: Iran lawmaker

A senior Iranian lawmaker says the decision about direct negotiations between Iran and the US over Tehran’s nuclear energy program should be made by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

“Iran Supreme National Security Council is responsible for the decision about direct negotiations with the US over the nuclear issue, but the Islamic Republic will definitely decide on this issue based on its national interests,” Chairman of Iran Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Saturday.

US Vice President Joe Biden said earlier on Saturday that Washington is ready to hold direct talks with Iran over the country’s nuclear energy program.

Boroujerdi said Iran and the US have already held several rounds of talks over issues such as crisis in Iraq, adding that, “However, this issue (nuclear energy program) is different from general negotiations over bilateral ties.”

The Iranian lawmaker said one of the reasons that Tehran never welcomed the US proposal for direct talks was Washington’s lack of honesty.

“The US vice president’s proposal for direct talks with Iran comes at a time when the US Congress seeks to impose more sanctions [on Iran] and these two approaches are not compatible,” Boroujerdi added.

The United States, Israel and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Over the false allegation, Washington and the European Union have imposed illegal unilateral sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Iran refutes the allegation and argues that as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.