U.S. will recognize Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear program: Obama aide

TEHRAN, April 22 (MNA) – A top Obama administration aide said that the United States will recognize Iran’s right to a peaceful nuclear energy program if Iran addresses concerns about its nuclear activities. Gary Samore, special assistant to U.S. President Barack Obama and White House coordinator for arms control and weapons of mass destruction, proliferation, and terrorism, made the remarks in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on April 17, in which he discussed the Istanbul talks between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) on April 14. “Actually what we said was that we recognize that Iran has the right to a peaceful nuclear energy program once it has addressed concerns about its nuclear activities. What we haven’t done is specify exactly what the elements of that nuclear energy program would be. And that is a matter for negotiation. And it is a matter for the UN Security Council, since the council has imposed on Iran the need to suspend its enrichment and re-processing program. So exactly what elements of a nuclear energy program Iran would have as part of an agreement, that is something that is subject to the negotiations,” he said. Asked about his impression of the Iranian delegation at the Istanbul talks, he said, “I think compared to the last meeting in Istanbul in January 2011, the Iranians certainly seemed to be much more serious about entering into real negotiations.” He also said, “They agreed to have another round of meetings in Baghdad at the end of May. And the Iranians themselves suggested that there should be a meeting of deputies to help set up the agenda and the discussions for the Baghdad meeting. So we came away from the discussions in Istanbul with the sense that we have started a process. Whether or not that process will ultimately reach an agreement, it is just too early to tell.”