KERMAN - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has criticized the presidents of Russia and the United States for adopting negative stances toward the Tehran declaration.

According to the declaration, signed by Iran, Turkey, and Brazil on May 17, Tehran would ship 1200 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey to be exchanged for 120 kilograms of 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel to power the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer treatment.
However, Russia and China snubbed Iran last week when, just hours after the declaration was issued, Washington announced that all five members of the UN Security Council backed a draft of a new sanctions resolution.
The U.S. and Russia should take a positive stance on the Tehran declaration, since it is the only chance they have to prove their goodwill towatd Iran, Ahmadinejad said during a speech in Kerman on Wednesday.
He went on to say that Iran and Russia are two historical friends but added that friendly countries should respect each other’s rights.
“With this behavior, the Iranian nation doesn’t know if they (the Russians) are our friends and neighbors or are against us and are looking for something else,” he stated.
“If I were the Russian president, I would act more cautiously and I would think things through more when making decisions about subjects related to the great nation of Iran,” Ahmadinejad stated.
Referring to the United States, he said Russia should not support countries, which have been hostile to Iran for 30 years.
“This is not acceptable for the Iranian nation. I hope they pay attention and take corrective action,” he added.
“I am hopeful that Russian leaders and officials will heed these friendly words and take corrective action” and will not do something that will make the Iranian people place them among the ranks of their historical enemies, the Iranian president stated.
Russian officials had said earlier that they were being pressured by the West about Iran’s nuclear program and asked Tehran to take some actions in that regard, he added.
So the Tehran nuclear declaration was issued, he said, adding that Iran is also under a lot of pressure, but “should it take action against Russia?”
Ahmadinejad also said, “(U.S. President Barack) Obama should understand that the declaration is a historic opportunity for him to show that he really wants to make a change.”
“It is unlikely that the Iranian nation will give a new opportunity to Mr. Obama in the future,” he added.
“If they are telling the truth and are seeking cooperation and interaction, they should enter the negotiations pertaining to the Tehran declaration and act based on the articles of this declaration,” he said.
“If they are seeking excuses, they should know the path of any action and constructive dialogue will be closed in the future,” he added