No Obstacles against Iran’s Nuclear Program; Hopes for U.S. Change of Behavior
The British newspaper Times claimed on 24th of January that Iran has faced uranium shortage for continuation of its nuclear program. Meanwhile, according to IRNA, Senior Advisor of the Iranian President, Mojtaba Hashemi Samareh who was visiting Japan to deliver Ahmadinejad’s message to the Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso had told the Japanese media in a press conference that the important thing for Iran is not the number of centrifuges but nuclear fuel it needs for two of its under construction nuclear power plants.
Iranian Diplomacy has interview Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Chairman of Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee:
Is Iran truly facing uranium shortage for continuing its nuclear program?
We’re not facing any problems for the current projects, and we don’t announce or uranium need. We have provided fuel for Bushehr’s under construction power plant. There are no major problems and things are going on.
Are there any news on Bushehr power plant’s progress and its launching time?
The construction is moving through its natural process. Last month the committee visited the power plant. The Russians are active and they’ve promised to prepare the power plant for use next year.
There isn’t any special news about the time Russians deliver the power plant. According to those officials in charge there are no problems in continuing the plan and finishing the project for the next year since transferring fuel [from Russia] which was the basic problem of the project has been done.
Does the Foreign Policy Committee have any specific plans for providing the uranium needed?
These should be pursued by Atomic Energy Organization, just like any other issue related to nuclear fuel, uranium need and uranium extraction,.
How do you see the current progress of nuclear activities in the country?
We are in fair conditions and IAEA is monitoring our activities. Esfahan’s UCF complex and Natanz nuclear plant are active.
5+1 members will have a meeting on Iran’s nuclear program in February. How do you see the whole process of talks?
We hope that with Obama’s promise for change we see a change of behavior and attitude in United States’ representative in 5+1. Iran’s nuclear activities are in accord with IAEA and NPT’s regulations and monitored by IAEA. And we are ready for further trust-building. So we hope that United States changes its approach so we could all break through the current impasse.
What do you think of Dennis Ross’ appointment as U.S. special envoy on Iran affairs?
It seems that they are more bound to the policies dictated to them. We have no judgment about Obama’s policies and will wait and see to what extent the new U.S. President fulfills his promises, especially about a policy shift towards Iran. So no judgments for now.
Iran has stated that it’s ready to export gas to Europe. Could that be an economic overture to political interaction between Iran and the European Union on the nuclear issue?
It can be. After all we and 5+1 have exchanged packages and these are good points for starting constructive talks.