Official warns White House to avoid historic gaffe

February 14, 2007 - 0:0
VIENNA (IRNA) -- Iranian Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali-Asghar Soltanieh said that the White House should differentiate between Iran and Iraq if they will make a historic gaffe.

He made the statement in an interview with the Austrian weekly, Profil, on the country's nuclear program and the possibility of U.S. military operations against Iran.

About the possibility of bombardment of Iran's nuclear facilities, he said that such a theory is not calculated, given that centrifuges have been produced and can be installed and operated at any point across this large country.

"Given Iran's access to nuclear technology and the expertise of Iranian scientists on the technology, it is impossible to deprive domestic experts of the relevant know-how through bombardment," he said.

Soltanieh said that besides, the prospect of any attack on Iran's nuclear facilities or its bombardment has been dismissed by one of the United Nations resolutions.

"The UN resolution also warns against the disastrous consequences of environmental pollution due to release of radioactive material in the environment," said the official.

Turning to the Chernobyl disaster, he said that there is no need for further explanation in this regard, adding that such an action will immediately make the UN Security Council convene.

He said that Iran's nuclear activities are supervised by the IAEA, adding that it is the outcome of 20 years of fundamental and intensive efforts.

"Therefore, Iranians will not let any factor interfere with the process, nor will they ever give it up," he added.

Underlining that there is no way to suspend the country's nuclear activities, he said that based on its past experience, Iran has lost its confidence in the West.

"We are prepared to hold talks with any party having doubts about the peaceful nature of our nuclear activities and will end our cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, if we are required to do so," said the Iranian diplomat.