Iran Ready To Address West’s Concerns In N-Talks

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says the Islamic Republic is ready to address West’s concerns in nuclear negotiations if West enters talks through a logical approach.

“We have repeatedly recommended that they stop political measures and enter negotiations with a rational approach and recognize our rights, and we are ready to address their concerns,” Mehmanparast said.

He added that Iran’s nuclear energy program is not being dealt with from a “technical or legal” viewpoint because in that case, it would have been solved more rapidly.”

“If the nuclear energy program had been approached legally, we would have reached a conclusion more rapidly because there are clear rules in the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) about using the nuclear energy. We are a member of NPT and our right has been defined,” he said.

Mehmanparast stated that Iran’s nuclear issue has been politicized by Western countries which think of using it. as a pretext to exert pressure on Iran.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman also said there is “zero possibility” for a military attack on Iran as the country is currently in the best shape to defend itself.

“Military operation is carried out against a country when…it would entail minor losses for the attacking side. When the attacked country is ready, the other side will suffer considerable losses,” Mehmanparast said.

He added that Iran having defense equipment and power does not mean that it intends to wage war on any country, but the more powerful Iran is, the more secure it will be.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman noted that exerting pressure on Iranian people is the main goal of arrogant powers “and their claims that [anti-Iran] sanctions do not target the nation, are mere lies.”

He added that West seeks to harm the Islamic establishment by stoking internal conflicts.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman also said leveling charges against Iranian nationals is used by Western countries as a means of undermining the Islamic Republic’s national interests.

“Unfortunately, certain Western countries have targeted the Islamic Republic’s national interests by incriminating our country’s nationals,” Ramin Mehmanparast said.

He added that such “planned measures” were part of a scenario to mount pressure on the Iranian nation, noting, “In this scenario, certain people are accused of such charges as trading special goods which have been banned by Western countries and under these pretexts they easily ignore people’s rights.”

Mehmanparast stated that the case of former Iranian Ambassador to Jordan Nosratollah Tajik was an instance of this plan in which he was kept under house arrest for six years without proper logical evidence.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman said former Iranian diplomat Nosratollah Tajik is set to arrive in Tehran after being released in Britain.

“Today, Mr. Tajik will leave London for Oman,” Mehmanparast said, adding that Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi would welcome the former Iranian diplomat in the Arab country.

Mehmanparast said the former Iranian ambassador to Jordan is scheduled to arrive in Tehran later on Tuesday and expressed gratitude for Oman’s positive role in proving the Iranian diplomat’s innocence and facilitating his return to Iran.

Mehmanparast also said that the Islamic Republic’s consulate office in the Afghan city of Herat had resumed its activities.

“Our consulate in Herat halted some of its activities after a number of people with certain motives attacked its building and inflicted some damages,” Mehmanparast said.

The Iranian official added that the consulate resumed its activities on Monday upon “requests by Afghan officials and people.”

Referring to the deployment of Patriot missiles along Turkey’s border with Syria, Mehmanparast said, “We believe that all regional countries must try to establish stability and security in the region.”

“Any provocative measure is against the interests of regional countries, particularly as Western countries and NATO do not have a good record with regards to interference in our region and we believe that insecurity and instability in the region stem from their actions.”

Mehmanparast added that the Islamic Republic had urged Turkey to refrain from taking measures that would lead to more insecurity and instability in the region.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman also said Tehran’s comprehensive six-point plan for Syria proposes the establishment of a national unity government.

“All countries that seek the realization of the Syrians’ demands believe that military solutions will be useless in Syria and violence and terrorist behavior must be stopped in the country,” Mehmanparast said.

He added that Tehran’s six-point plan for Syria is comprehensive and is one of the best and most peaceful ways to end violence and conflict in the Arab state.

“Accordingly, the grounds must be prepared for national dialogue and the rule of a democratic process in Syria,” he added.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman also said no date or venue has been set for the next round of talks between Iran and the P5+1 group — comprising Britain, China, France, Russia, and the US plus Germany.

“Setting a date and a location for [comprehensive] negotiations [with the P5+1]depends on the agreement between the two sides. If the schedules of both sides allow it, it will be held before the end of the year (2012); otherwise it will be held next year,” Mehmanparast said.

Commenting on reports that the P5+1 plans to offer a package of incentives to Iran, the spokesman said Tehran’s negotiations with the group will take place within a defined framework and each side must propose its plans and programs in the meeting.

“At the moment, there is no need to address this issue, when there is no accurate information or any planning about it, we must wait for the date and the venue of the talks to be set and then see what the approach of the P5+1, especially the Western states, will be,” he added.

Mehmanparast said the P5+1 should adopt a logical approach to Iran, adding that increasing sanctions and exerting pressure are counterproductive and will not help the success of the talks.