Iran threatens to revise nuclear policy

Moscow, July 28 (UNI) Iran today threatened to review its nuclear policy if there was confrontation instead of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue.

''Should the path of confrontation be chosen, should any measures be taken to restrict the indispensable rights of Iranians, Tehran has no option other than to revise its nuclear policy,'' Interfax news agency reported quoting a statement from the Iranian embassy.

''Iran does not seek to escalate tensions and confrontation, if others hinder the process and mount tensions, everyone will have difficulties,'' it said.

The statement expressed concern over the fact that the European ''troika'' (Britain, France and Germany) and the United States were hurrying to deprive Iran of its rights and to impair talks, even though Iran clearly said it needed several weeks more to complete the evaluation of the package of proposals.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the UN Security Council resolution on Iran must not include an ultimatum, but should make the requirements set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) binding.

''The resolution will only confirm the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and if Iran responds to the proposals of the six countries mediating the issue soon, it will not be necessary to adopt a resolution,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mr Lavrov as saying.

''I think that the Iran-6 proposal is very constructive, and gives full opportunities for putting forward any issues, and negotiating means for Iran to execute its legitimate right to develop its civilian nuclear energy sector, in conditions where nobody will have suspicions that Iran is developing nuclear weapons,'' he said.

Mr Lavrov pointed out the lack of a response from Iran had forced the UN Security Council to resume work on an Iran resolution, which had been frozen to enable negotiations with Tehran.

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