West’s call for nuclear talks is a ruse: Iranian parliament speaker

TEHRAN, July 4 (MNA) -- Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani says the West’s call to resume negotiations with Tehran about its nuclear program is a ruse.

The Western countries, and particularly the United States, are following a deceitful path, Larijani told the Mehr News Agency in an exclusive interview.

On the one hand, they have taken coercive measures against Iran at the United Nations Security Council, and on the other hand, they are seeking to keep up diplomatic appearances by calling for more dialogue, he added.

Their intention is not to conduct sincere dialogue, but rather they seek to resume negotiations as a show and then declare that the talks have not been fruitful in order to prepare the way for more deceitful acts, he observed.

The Western powers do not want Iran to have access to nuclear technology meant for peaceful purposes, and their claim about recognizing Iran’s nuclear program applies only to nuclear power plants and not to access to the complete nuclear fuel cycle, he noted.

Asked about Iran’s conditions for talks, the parliament speaker said that dialogue should be conducted within a specific framework and in a different manner than the previous talks.

The priorities for Iran at present, which take precedence over the issue of negotiations, are improving its nuclear technology and accelerating its nuclear activities, Larijani stated.

But if the Westerners persist with their aggressive approach toward Iran’s nuclear energy program, Tehran will respond to them in line with plans approved by the Iranian parliament, he noted.

The parliament has passed legislation requiring the administration to continue enriching uranium to the 20 percent level, Larijani added.