"In order to achieve parity in the negotiating process between Iran and the European Union's Big Three (Britain, France and Germany), we may restart some of our uranium enrichment activities," Agazadeh said in a statement Thursday.
He stressed that Iran was complying with the additional protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and had voluntarily suspended uranium processing at the Isfahan Nuclear Conversion Facility and its uranium enrichment site at Natanz. But the Europeans have not responded with any effective measures, he said. This is why Iran may now resume its research program at Isfahan, while continuing negotiations with the Europeans.
EU officials said earlier that Iran's resumption of any uranium-enrichment activities at Isfahan or Natanz would amount to its withdrawal from the moratorium on uranium enrichment, thus prompting the referral of its nuclear dossier to the United Nations Security Council.
The EU's project on Iran is reportedly nearly ready now and expected to be submitted soon after the inauguration of Iranian President-elect, Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, on August 3. Under this project, the EU will commit itself to assist in the production of nuclear fuel at Iran's civilian reactors operating under the full supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
European companies may be allowed to contribute to the construction of nuclear reactors for electricity generation. There are plans to significantly expand the scope of EU-Iran cooperation in politics, security and economics, including trade in civilian aircraft. The EU may also decide to cooperate with Iran in maintaining security in the Gulf region, restoring stability in Iraq and Afghanistan, and combating terrorism and drug trafficking.
Iran is expected to deliver on its pledge to ratify the additional protocol to the NPT, which it signed in December 2003.
