Iran mulling over Russia’s revised ‘step-by-step’ plan:Iranian envoy

TEHRAN, Jan.8 (MNA) -- The Iranian ambassador to Moscow said that the Russian proposal for a “step-by-step” plan toward Iran’s nuclear program has undergone a number of revisions. On July 13, 2011, Russia made a proposal for a step-by-step approach, according to which Iran could address questions about its nuclear program and be rewarded with a gradual easing of sanctions. Ambassador Reza Sajjadi said, “After the Russians presented the plan, we studied it for two months. Mr. Ali Baqeri, the deputy secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, during his trip to Moscow (in early November 2011) expressed the country’s views in this regard. The Russians, after about three weeks, presented their revised initiative to Iran through the Russian Embassy in Tehran. The relevant authority is now deliberating on the revised plan.” “The difference between this initiative and the proposals of the 5+1 (group) (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) is that first of all, the 5+1, in contravention of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, does not recognize our legitimate rights in regard to nuclear activities, and, on the other hand, has been calling for all our peaceful nuclear activities to be halted. But the step-by-step plan recognizes Iran’s inalienable right to acquire peaceful nuclear energy,” he stated. Sajjadi added, “Previously, we took some steps and confidence-building measures to which the West has not given any positive response. The basis of the plan of (Russian Foreign Minister Sergei) Lavrov is logical, but in order for an agreement to be reached and (the plan) to be accepted by us, many consultations are required.”