Iran Has Upper Hand In N-talks: Salehi

Tehran, March 9, IRNA – Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Ali-Akbar Salehi, said on on Saturday that the expert-level talks with P5+1 held in Vienna this weekend were satisfactory and that Iran certainly has the upper hand in the course of negotiations. Salehi advised the Western side to make use of the opportunity provided by the negotiations. He predicted that the nuclear negotiations will yield good results by the grace of God and Iran will celebrate victory soon. Salehi said that his statements are based on feedback and indications, adding that Muslims are always recommended to be optimistic. Salehi said that Iranians are more vigilant than the Western nations and enjoy national solidarity. He said that vigilance, wisdom and patience are required to go ahead with the rest of the way. The AEOI chief said that considering the legal and technical nature of expert-level talks, the number of experts from AEOI in the course of talks has increased in coordination with the Foreign Ministry. He noted that Iran has entered the negotiations with good faith expecting the other side to show good faith too. On implementation of Geneva Deal reached between the two sides on November 24, Salehi said according to the deal, Iran is expected to convert into oxide half of its stockpile of 20-percent enriched uranium which is nearly 200 kilos and dilute another half of it to less than five percent. He said that Iran is honoring its commitments in this regard. The Iranian nuclear chief said that the country has some red lines in the negotiations which are decided by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the negotiating team operate under guidelines of the Leader. Salehi reiterated that Iran will never give up its rights enshrined by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the IAEA Charter, saying Tehran has voluntarily agreed to set aside 20-percent enrichment. The 20-percent enrichment was not economical, Salehi said, but he added that as other countries set preconditions and refused to provide us with the required fuel for Tehran reactor, Iran was forced into producing uranium enriched up to 20 percent. Salehi declined to elaborate on the details of expert-level talks in Vienna and said the outcome of the negotiations have been reported to the capitals and then Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief and representatives from the P5+1 will make decisions./end