Iran becoming more intransigent in nuclear controversy

TEHRAN (WJC)–Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said there was no need to hold further talks with the West over Iran’s nuclear program. In a live television interview, Ahmadinejad threatened to downgrade relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): “Friendly relations with the agency are over. We will cooperate as much as they offer us compromises. We are reviewing this.” He added: “We are not obliged to inform the agency about our plans to build nuclear sites unless the technology is imported.”

The hard-line Iranian leader also accused Russia of making a “mistake” when voting last week with other nations on the IAEA Board of Governors to condemn Iran for its nuclear program. Ahmadinejad also criticized the West for applying double standards and called the contention that Iran was isolating itself “ridiculous”, stating: “Who can isolate Iran? This is something that’s impossible.” Iran is already under three sets of United Nations Security Council sanctions over its nuclear program. On Sunday, Ahmadinejad’s Cabinet ordered scientists to begin building ten new uranium enrichment sites within two months.

On Friday, 25 of the 35 countries with representatives on the IAEA board had voted for a resolution sponsored by Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States which also called for Iran to suspend its construction of the newly disclosed nuclear facility near the city of Qom.

In the interview, Ahmadinejad claimed Britain and Israel had sabotaged the talks in Geneva which led to the vote. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Monday called the planned expansion of Iran’s nuclear program “dangerous” and “infantile,” while the British government said the Iranian administration had chosen to “provoke” the international community.

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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress