Recognizing Iran’s right to enrichment will end deadlock: Iranian diplomat

TEHRAN, March 10 (MNA) - Iran’s ambassador to Paris said if the West appears realistic and recognizes Iran’s right to nuclear enrichment as a responsible signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty it will help resolve the long-running dispute over Iran’s nuclear activities. "In this sense recognizing Iran as responsible and a signatory to the non-nuclear proliferation treaty that insists on using these technologies purely for peaceful and civilian means and to continue its enrichment for civilian purposes can help get out of the current situation," Ali Ahani told Reuters in an interview in Paris. Ahani said Iran is optimistic about new talks with the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) on its nuclear program but Iran would not negotiate on its right to enrich uranium. When asked if discussions on reducing or even cutting uranium enrichment were possible, the former deputy foreign minister replied; "No."