Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi warned yesterday that any
United Nations Security Council resolution forcing Tehran to suspend nuclear
activities could draw a retaliation.
"Any slashing measures could face relevant reactions. If the other side
chooses anything but the path of negotiations, of course our attitude will
change accordingly," Asefi told reporters.
"The Security Council is not the end of the world," he said, without
elaborating on how Tehran could retaliate if the council passes a resolution
that demands Iran suspend its nuclear enrichment.
The spokesman, however, also voiced a softer tone about Iran's nuclear
program, saying talks with world powers could include proposals to suspend its
uranium enrichment.
"Everything should come out through negotiations," Asefi said. "Everything
should be discussed during negotiations."
The European Union big three -- France, Britain and Germany --introduced
Thursday a draft resolution on the Iranian nuclear issue to the UN Security
Council, calling on Iran to suspend all enrichment-related activities.
The United States and some of its allies have accused Iran of working on
highly enriched uranium and plutonium which are essential materials for making
nuclear weapons, while Tehran has insisted on its right to develop a peaceful
nuclear program aimed at generating electricity only.
On June 6, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana presented Iran with a
package concerning the Iranian nuclear issue, which was agreed on by the five
permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.
The proposal includes both incentives aimed at persuading Iran to suspend
uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if Iran does not comply.
Frustrated by Iran's refrain from giving an official response to the offer
sooner, the six countries agreed on July 12 to return Iran's nuclear issue to
the UN Security Council.