TEHRAN, March 8 (RIA Novosti) - Talks on Russia's proposal to form a joint venture with Iran to enrich uranium on Russian territory will become meaningless if Iran's nuclear file is referred to the UN Security Council, the country's diplomats said Wednesday.
Iranian Foreign Ministry official Hamid Reza Asefi said, "Under the current conditions Russia's plan is acceptable to Iran, but if Iran's nuclear file is referred to the UN Security Council, the Russian proposal will lose its meaning."
The official said that the U.S. was aiming to politicize the Iranian nuclear issue, and in such an atmosphere the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "will be unable to carry out its work professionally."
"The Americans are following three goals in their policy: firstly, to weaken Europe, secondly, to weaken the IAEA as an international authority, and thirdly, to promote their own interests," he said.
On the possibility of direct talks between Tehran and Washington, Hamid Reza Asefi said such talks were not on the agenda.
"The policy of our state is not one of threats and supplication, our main aim is to declare Iran's rights, and we do not intend to barter on this issue," he said.
The official added that Iran would not give in to pressure from the West.
"If we can reach an agreement with Western countries on further scientific research in the nuclear sphere, and our rights in this area are acknowledged, Tehran is prepared to hold talks on the remaining issues with all sides, including the IAEA," he said.
The IAEA is currently holding a five-day session in Vienna, which is expected to yield a decision on reporting Iran to the UN Security Council. The latter has the power to impose sanctions if Tehran is found to be in breach of its international commitments. The session has already heard a report from IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear program earlier on Wednesday.
