Iran confirms EU's reconsideration on nuclear referral

A senior Iranian diplomat confirmed on Thursday in Vienna that the European Union (EU) had reconsidered a motion to immediately report Iran's nuclear case to the UN Security Council, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"The Iranian delegation in Vienna was informed of the (new) decision Wednesday evening," the diplomat was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Herbert Honsowitz, German delegate to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also confirmed the EU's new decision on the referral.

The EU on Tuesday delivered a draft resolution to the ongoing meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors to urge to report Iran's case to the Security Council.

On the same day, Iran threatened to withdraw from the Non- Proliferation Treaty but took a step backward one day later, saying that Tehran will be committed to the treaty.

It was reported early Thursday that the EU had withdrawn its demand, adopting a new resolution which does not mention immediate referral but suggests that the referral of Iran's case be discussed at the next session of the IAEA Board of Governors.

Welcoming the EU's softened stance, the Iranian diplomat stressed that "intensification of the crisis would neither benefit Iran nor EU states."

"Both Iran and the EU should refrain from a win-lose game and follow the win-win one, settlement of the crisis would benefit both sides," the diplomat added.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani Wednesday night held a meeting with ambassadors to Tehran of Germany, Britain and France, the EU trio negotiating with Iran on behalf of the union, IRNA reported.

During the meeting held at the request of the European side, the ambassadors called for providing solutions to continue the negotiations, while Larijani laid emphasis on Iran's previously announced stances and called for their transparent reflection to the governments of the three European countries, the report said.

The current nuclear crisis came after Tehran resumed its highly sensitive uranium conversion activities on Aug. 8 and refused to stop them before Sept. 19, a deadline set by the EU.

The EU has been trying to press Tehran to abandon its efforts to build nuclear fuel cycles, including activities related to uranium enrichment, a move Europe believes to provide objective guarantees that Iran's nuclear program will not be used for military purposes.

However, Iran insists that it never give up legal rights of the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

The United States accuses Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the disguise of civil usage, a charge rejected by Tehran.

Source: Xinhua