Global General

Iran not to talk over nuclear work if sanctioned

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-08 20:18

TEHRAN - Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that Tehran will not talk over its nuclear work if new sanctions against Tehran are adopted, the local satellite Press TV reported.

"If the US and its allies think they could hold the stick of sanctions and then sit and negotiate with us, they are seriously mistaken," Ahmadinejad said at a press conference in Turkey.

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Referring to Tehran declaration among Iran, Brazil and Turkey regarding a nuclear fuel swap agreement, Ahmadinejad said that the West should grasp the opportunity as it may not happen again.

"The Tehran declaration provided an opportunity for the US government and its allies. We hoped and we are still hopeful that they use the opportunity well," he said, adding that "I must say opportunities like this will not be repeated again."

On May 17, Iran, Turkey and Brazil signed a joint declaration in Tehran to endorse a fuel swap according to which Iran will ship most of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for the 20 percent uranium fuel needed for its reactor.

The White House had said that the newly-reached Iran nuclear fuel swap deal would be a positive step, but the United States continues to have serious concerns over Iran.

The White House said on Thursday that the UN Security Council will vote on and approve Iran sanctions resolution next week.

The United States and other Western countries have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons, a charge denied by Iran.