Refusing to refuel Iranian planes contravenes intl. law

TEHRAN, Oct. 20 (MNA) – Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has said a refusal to refuel Iranian planes at some airports around Europe goes against the international law.

“Unfortunately, certain Western companies have adopted an impropriate policy. We advise the Western governments against taking such approach, because such action even goes against the illegal resolution of the UN Security Council (against Iran) and contravenes the international law,” Mehmanparast said in his weekly press briefing on Tuesday.

He also threatened that Iran will take reciprocal action in this regard.

“Continuation of such approach will damage their (Western countries) interests. For sure we will not tolerate this ill-considered action and we know how to deal with this action,” he noted.

Mehmanparast also pointed to the upcoming talks between Iran and 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, China, Russia, France and Germany), saying the world powers should shift their approach in dealing with Iran, because insistence on their previous stances will not yield any result.

“Their current approach should be replaced by an approach of cooperation,” he said.

He also said that the issue of nuclear fuel swap will not be discussed during talks with the 5+1 group, because that is a separate issue and should be discussed with the Vienna group (the United States, France and Russia).

On Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tehran is ready to cooperate with all countries to help restore peace and security in Afghanistan.

Asked about the two German nationals who have recently been arrested in Iran, he said they have violated the law since they had entered the country with tourist visas but worked as journalists.

Legal proceedings on their cases are underway, but they have been granted consular access, he explained.