Majlis orders 20% uranium enrichment

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130660§ionid=351020101



Iranian Parliament (Majlis) speaker calls for the extension of Iran's uranium enrichment to a base level of 20-percent, as the US and EU continue efforts to impose additional unilateral sanctions on Tehran.

Addressing Iranian lawmakers at a parliamentary session on Wednesday, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani criticized the West for putting together a new round of punitive measure against Iran, describing such pressures as "unjustified."

The Majlis speaker went on to censure EU members and the US for their failure to deliver their promise of supplying fuel to the Tehran Research Reactor, adding that the West had failed to respect the rules and regulations of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"Majlis calls on the government to lay the base level for its enrichment activities at 20 percent as these countries have failed to respect the NPT regulations and did not supply fuel to the Tehran Research Reactor," the Fars news agency quoted Larijani as saying.

He urged the Iranian government to put up strong resistance against such measures, "so that the non-committed bullying countries realize that their unjustified pressure would only prompt Iran to raise the level of its enrichment activities based on its [domestic] requirements."

The remarks come as EU member states agreed on Monday to push ahead with plans to move beyond sanctions adopted in a United Nations Security Council resolution last week with additional measures.

On June 9, the Security Council adopted a resolution imposing a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

The new sanctions include further restrictions on trade insurance and financial transactions, and would target Iran's transport sector, particularly its shipping and air cargo operators.

Meanwhile, Larijani reacted to sanctions targeting Iran's shipping industry and warned the West of taking retaliatory measures against their ships.

"I am warning the US and certain adventurous countries that in case they plan to inspect the cargo of Iranian ships and planes, they should rest assured that we will do the same in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman," he said.

"This retaliation is part of our policy to protect our national interests," Larijani added.

Tehran rejects Western accusations of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, arguing that the International Atomic Energy Agency in numerous reports has confirmed the non-diversion of nuclear material in Iran.

Saudis say they won't help Iran's enemy

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130164§ionid=351020205


Saudi Arabia has denied a British report claiming Riyadh had agreed to allow Israel to use its airspace to attack Iran.

Saudi Arabia "rejects violating its sovereignty or the use of its airspace or territories by anyone to attack any country," the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying on Saturday. But it declined to name the official.

The source called the allegations "false" and "slanderous" and stated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterates its position of firm opposition to and rejection of the violation of its sovereignty and the use of its airspace or territory by anyone to attack any country.

It is more appropriate that Saudi Arabia should apply this policy to the authority of the Israeli occupation regime, with which it has no relationship in any way, SPA quoted him as saying.

'Saudis to allow airspace for Iran war'

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130086§ionid=351020205



Saudi Arabia has reportedly launched a series of military maneuvers aimed at allowing Israeli jets to use the kingdom's airspace for an aerial attack on Iranian nuclear sites.

US defense sources speaking on condition of anonymity told The Times on Sunday that Israel has been given overflight clearance by Saudi Arabia and is permitted to use northern Saudi airspace in the event of military confrontation with Iran.

To clear the way for Israeli bombers en route to Iran, Riyadh has reportedly been conducting tests to practice keeping its own jets out of harms way while ensuring that missile systems in the kingdom remain completely deactivated.

"The Saudis have given their permission for the Israelis to pass over and they will look the other way," one US defense source said on Saturday.

"They have already done tests to make sure their own jets aren't scrambled and no one gets shot down. This has all been done with the agreement of the [US] State Department," he added.

Meanwhile, Arab sources reported that Saudi defense officials had made arrangements with Israel in case it decided to carry out its long-stalled military plans against Iran, stating that they both share a mutual hatred for the Iranian government and its nuclear activities.

For years, Israel has threatened to bomb Iran's nuclear installations. However, the likelihood of any such attack has significantly increased due to Tel Aviv's growing impatience with international sanctions, which have failed to change Tehran's stance on its peaceful nuclear issue.

Dodging scrutiny over its own arsenal of up to 200 nuclear weapons, Israel accuses Iran of refining uranium for military purposes.

Iran, however, dismisses the allegation, saying its nuclear activities are solely aimed at peaceful energy production and under close supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

'Russia remarks will come at own expense'

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=129374§ionid=351020101



A senior Iranian official says recent claims made by Russia President Dmitry Medvedev regarding Tehran's uranium enrichment are "implausible".

"It is hard to believe that the Russian President actually made such comments and has adopted such a stance against Iran," said lawmaker Mohammad-Reza Mirtajeddini, Vice-President for Parliamentary Affairs, on Monday.

Mirtajeddini, who was speaking in an exclusive interview with Mehr News Agency, added that Russia will soon realize that its cynical approach towards Iran's nuclear issue will come at the Kremlin's own expense.

"Russia's decision to follow in the footsteps of the Americans is going to cost them as it will undoubtedly give rise to global condemnation," he continued.

Mirtahjeddini made the comments a day after Medvedev described Iran as "irresponsible" and urged the country to pay heed to what he called world demands over its uranium enrichment activities.

"The situation is this: An agreement on sanctions exists," the Russian president had said following talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. "We hope that the voice of the international community is heard by the Iranian leadership."

"Such expressions of irresponsible behavior cannot be continued. What is said internationally needs to be listened to. Only this way can the most complex tasks be solved," he said.

A longtime trade partner, Russia has traditionally opposed the adoption of fresh sanctions on Iran, but in recent months, the Kremlin has joined in on US calls for an end to Tehran's nuclear program.

Iran details conditions for N-swap deal

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=126757§ionid=351020104



Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has detailed the terms and conditions of a nuclear swap deal aimed at ending the standoff over the country's uranium enrichment.

In a declaration he read out to reporters on Monday, Mottaki also reaffirmed Iran's commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the legal right of all member states, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

He expressed hope that Tehran's decision to accept the deal would create a positive, constructive, and non-confrontational atmosphere that will open a new chapter of interaction and cooperation between Iran and the West.

Under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mottaki said, Tehran has agreed to deposit 1,200 kg of its domestic low-enriched uranium (LEU) in Turkey, where it will continue to remain the property of Iran.

He added Iran will ask the IAEA to station its personnel in Turkey to monitor the safe-keeping of the dispatched LEU.

The top diplomat underlined Iran will inform the IAEA of its decision "through official channels" within no more than seven days from the Monday meeting.

"Upon the positive response of the Vienna Group --which includes Russia, France, the United States and the IAEA- further details of the exchange will be elaborated through a written agreement and proper arrangement between Iran and the Vienna group that specifically committed themselves to deliver 120 cages of fuel needed for the Tehran research reactor (TRR)," noted Mottaki.

If the Vienna Group accepts Iran's terms and conditions, Mottaki said, both parties will "commit themselves to the implementation" of the deal, which requires Iran to deposit its LEU in Turkey within one month, and in return, the Vienna group will deliver 120 kg of fuel required for the Tehran reactor in no later than one year.

He warned that if the provisions of the deal are not respected, Turkey will, upon the request of Iran, send back the LEU "swiftly and unconditionally".