Iran’s Missile Defense Capability Non-Negotiable, Says Rouhani

President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday that Iran‘s missile defense capability is by no means negotiable.

Rouhani made the remarks in a meeting in Tehran with Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, who is on a visit to Tehran for nuclear talks with Iranian officials.

Underlining the steps Iran has taken to show more transparency in regard to its nuclear program, Rouhani said Tehran accepts IAEA supervision only within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and nothing beyond.

In case a final deal is achieved with the P5+1 under the interim accord reached in Geneva last November, known as the Joint Plan of Action, Iran will continue to enrich uranium up to the required level inside the country and the other side is required to lift all the sanctions, Rouhani said.

The president reiterated that weapons of mass destruction have no place in Iran’s defense doctrine, adding that a comprehensive deal will be a win-win game for both sides helping boost peace and stability in the region and the entire world.

Meanwhile, the IAEA chief appreciated Iranˈs cooperation with the agency, particularly over the past year.

Amano said the IAEA is not satisfied with prolongation of the negotiations with Tehran and expressed hope that the issues will be resolved in a reasonable timetable with close cooperation of both sides.

Zarif, Ashton to meet early September

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton are to meet in early September, senior member of nuclear negotiator Majid Takht-e Ravanchi said on Monday.

ˈNo exact time and venue have been set yet, but, definitely there will be some bilateral meetings as well as meetings at expert level,the deputy foreign minister for Euro-American Affairs said.

The last round of talks between Iran and the six governments (US, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany), was held in Vienna, Austria on July 2-20 aiming to draft Comprehensive Agreement for the decade-long nuclear dispute.

On November 24, 2013, The two parties agreed to resolve the nuclear dispute and reach a Comprehensive Agreement in a six-month deadline which ended on July 20.

Failing to reach the comprehensive agreement until July 20, Iran and the six governments agreed to extend the deadline for an additional four-month period.

The talks are now set to conclude by late November 2014.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a conference on government’s nuclear policy, Takht-e Ravanchi commented on resumption of diplomatic activities of British Embassy in Tehran.

He said, ˈNo time has been determined yet for the reopening of British Embassy in Tehran but we hope this would happen soon.ˈ

Time, venue of Iran-P5+1 talks not set yet, says Araqchi

In the same context,Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said here on Monday that the time, venue and level of the next round of negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 have not been set yet.

Talking to reporters on the sideline of a conference marking the International Human Rights Day, he underscored that Iran should be creative in the negotiations and find an ingenious solution in this respect.

stressing that Iran is doing its best to wrap up the talks.

IRNA

R.S