By Xinhua
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that his country would no longer negotiate over its nuclear issue outside the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the official IRNA news agency reported.
“From now on, Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will be discussed only at the International Atomic Energy Agency within the framework of the NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty)regulations and mutual commitments,” IRNA quoted Ahmadinejad assaying.
No one from outside the IAEA has the jurisdiction over the nuclear program, he said, adding that “the time is over now that some people used to show up and talk about Iran’s nuclear issue.” Noting that Iran believed the issue of its nuclear activities became “normal,” he stressed “Iran would hold talks with all countries for mutual cooperation based on justice and mutual respect.”
“As a powerful country, Iran would talk to other countriesabout issues such as disarmament, global security and economy andpreventing tensions,” the president said.
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday slapping stronger sanctions to press Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities.
Fourteen of the 15 members of the Security Council voted for Resolution 1803 and Indonesia abstained.
The United States welcomed the resolution, saying it hopes it will make Iran change its behavior, including suspending its uranium enrichment activities.
Washington has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran has denied the U.S. charges and insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.