ZARIF: IRAN TO KEEP NUCLEAR ENERGY PROGRAM INTACT

New Delhi, 28 Rabiul Akhir 1435 / 28 February 2014 (MINA) –  The Islamic Republic will keep its nuclear energy program “intact” and is willing to address international concerns about its nuclear activities, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says.

“I can tell you that Iran’s nuclear program will remain intact. We will not close any program,” Zarif told reporters in the Indian capital New Delhi on Thursday.

He said Tehran is ready to do anything necessary to prove that its nuclear program is peaceful, according to Press TV report quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Iran is “prepared to make sure that the program is exclusively peaceful and create the necessary understanding for the West. I believe there are multiple ways of doing that and we are willing to entertain those ways,” Zarif added.

The Iranian foreign minister also expressed hopes that a final nuclear agreement would be reached between Tehran and the six world powers by the end of July.

“I am hoping by the first deadline we will reach a final deal and start implementing it,” he said. “And I can assure you that Iran has that political will and good faith that is required in order to achieve that.”

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — Russia, China, France, Britain and the United States — plus Germany inked an interim deal on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 24 last year. The Geneva deal took effect on January 20.

Iran and the six countries wrapped up their latest round of nuclear negotiations in Vienna, Austria, on February 20 and are set to meet again in the Austrian city on March 17 to continue their talks.

The negotiations are aimed at reaching a final agreement to fully resolve the decade-old dispute over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program. (T/E01/IR)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)