A senior Iranian nuclear official said on Monday that suspending uranium enrichment, as demanded by the P-5 + 1 in return for incentives, was not on Iran's agenda. Ali Hosseinitash made the comments two days before Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana meet to discuss the package.
"Suspension is definitely not on Iran's agenda," Hosseinitash, head of strategic affairs at Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was quoted as saying. "Iran does not see the issue of suspension as the core idea in solving the case," he added.
The G-8 told Iran last week they wanted a "clear and substantive response" on July 5 to the offer. Iranian officials declared more time was needed and they would reply by August 22.
One Western diplomat said Iran was unlikely to give an answer on July 5 but that if one did not arrive by July 12, when major power foreign ministers next meet, Security Council action (including the possibility of a Chapter VII resolution?) would loom.
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