Iran dismisses Russian nuclear proposal as final plan

Iran on Sunday dismissed Moscow's proposal to enrich Iranian uranium on Russian soil as immature and expressed disappointment with European negotiators over its controversial nuclear program.

The proposal is only a structural one which could not be seen as mature, said secretary of Iran's Supreme National Council Ali Larijani on national television.

Dismissing the proposal as an idea with "serious problems," Larijani noted "Iran's right for having its own nuclear fuel cycle is irrevocable and should be acknowledged."

Iran did not want to depend on others, he said.

Russia has offered to enrich Iranian uranium on its soil, giving the country access to the nuclear fuel cycle while guaranteeing its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

But Larijani did not completely reject Moscow's proposal. "The plan could be complementary and supporting," he said.

Larijani also expressed disappointment with the Dec. 21 negotiation in Vienna with the European Union trio of Britain, France and Germany.

"I had hoped the recent negotiations in Vienna to make more progress. I don't have a negative view, but we hope future steps be taken more seriously and carefully," he said.

Larijani also warned the West against taking strong action. "If they act harshly, our behaviour will change. We have prepared scenarios and they cannot checkmate us easily," he said.

Source: Xinhua