FM Spokesman: No Date Fixed Yet For Talks With IAEA

Tehran, April 23, IRNA – Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast here on Tuesday said talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency is on Iranˈs agenda but no date has yet been fixed for continuation of technical debates. Talking to reporters during his weekly press briefing, he pointed to the date announced by some media for the next round of talks between Iran and the IAEA (May 21, 2013) and said though no date has been fixed for the talks the issue is still on the agenda for Iran. Reacting to the remarks of the US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on selling arms to the Zionist regime, he said they are trying to overestimate the threats in the region in line with waging soft war. Asked about the objectives of the Hagelˈs remarks who has claimed that the US sell of dlrs 10 billion worth of arms to the Zionist regime contains a clear message for Iran, he said they ultimately aim to sell arms to the regional countries. Stressing that Iran is a powerful country, Mehmanparast said Tehran will never allow violation of its sovereignty under any circumstances. He reiterated that the Zionist regime, by purchasing the arms, will never have the excuses it seeks to continue its aggressive behavior in the region. The Foreign Ministry spokesman added that the Iranian nation will only become stronger and more determined by such actions./end