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Last update - 19:38 06/11/2009
Iran cleric: IAEA obligated to supply Iran nuclear fuel
By Reuters
Tags: Israel news, Iran nuclear 

The United Nations nuclear watchdog is legally obliged to provide Iran with nuclear fuel for its research reactor without setting any conditions, a hardline Iranian cleric told worshippers on Friday.

European Union leaders have called on Iran to accept a UN-drafted nuclear proposal under which it would send most of its low-enriched uranium abroad by the end of the year for further enrichment to turn it into fuel for a medical reactor in Tehran.

Ahmad Khatami, a member of a powerful clerical body that can appoint or dismiss Iran's supreme leader, said in a sermon broadcast on state radio that Iran was prepared to produce fuel for its Tehran reactor if world powers insisted on the deal.
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"The International Atomic Energy Agency is legally obliged to provide fuel ... if you want to play games with us then I can assure you that we will produce it by ourselves," Khatami told worshippers at Tehran University. "The Iranian nation is wise and will not be deceived by the nuclear deal."

Iran says talks are needed on the nuclear deal and that Tehran wants to import atomic fuel rather than send its own uranium abroad for processing.

The West accuses Iran of covertly trying to build a nuclear bomb. Tehran says its nuclear program is peaceful, aimed at generating electricity to meet its booming domestic demand.

"Why should we send our low enriched uranium abroad? ... who can guarantee that you will then provide us with the needed fuel?" said Khatami.

The United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China have tried for years to persuade Iran to suspend uranium enrichment activities in return for economic and political incentives.

Tehran has so far refused to halt its enrichment.

Katami said Iran had no intention of yielding to the West's pressure over its nuclear program.

"No one has traded over the Iranian nation's legitimate nuclear right," said the cleric in the sermon, which was broadcast live.

The West's priority is to reduce Iran's LEU stockpile to prevent any danger that the Islamic Republic might turn it into the highly enriched uranium needed for a nuclear bomb.

The Guardian newspaper in its Friday edition said the IAEA has asked Iran to explain evidence suggesting the Islamic Republic's scientists have experimented with an advanced nuclear warhead design.

U.S. President Barack Obama urged Tehran on Wednesday to make a concession over its nuclear program, adding that he was ready to deal directly with Iran, something his predecessor largely rejected.

Khatami ruled out talks with Iran's arch enemy, the United States, which broke ties with the Islamic state shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

"As long as the American leaders have an arrogant mentality, the great Iranian nation will not engage in the evil talks with them," said Khatami, echoing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's remarks who said on Tuesday that Iran would not be deceived into reconciliation with Washington.
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  1.   Iran Can Have the Right to Peaceful Nuclear Energy, What It... 20:30  |  Eli 06/11/09
  2.   The IAEA is not obligated to do ANYTHING 20:44  |  Mark Lincoln 06/11/09
  3.   Logical Proposal 20:48  |  Marc Leb 06/11/09
  4.   More Games 20:51  |  Canadian 06/11/09
  5.   IAEA might as well supply balistic missiles as well 21:56  |  Avi 06/11/09
  6.   How do you feel now Nobama? Iran has rebuffed you as well. 22:04  |  4:20 06/11/09
  7.   Also! Obama asked Israel to freeze settlements! So what happened 22:38  |  James 06/11/09
  8.   Iran`s continual manipulations 22:57  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 06/11/09
  9.   logical - Netanyau can get away with rebuffing Obama, so can Iran 22:59  |  Kelly Brians 06/11/09
  10.   Iran preparing to enrich Uranium to 20% purity at Qom facility 01:19  |  Kelly Brians 07/11/09
  11.   being a signatory to the NPT 01:54  |  Chuckles 07/11/09
  12.   Time to let Iran get Nukes 02:02  |  Zak 07/11/09
  13.   Kelly Brians - how can you know? 03:40  |  Mark Lincoln 07/11/09
  14.   Iran hould Keep On Dveloping ts Nuclear Capabilities 03:49  |  Lance 07/11/09
  15.   Lance, Iran will stick to it`s `rights` 05:04  |  Mark Lincoln 07/11/09
  16.   The last technical point 06:33  |  Mark Lincoln 07/11/09
  17.   The ultimate problem 06:41  |  Mark Lincoln 07/11/09
  18.   What is this "cleric" talking about? This is religion??? 09:05  |  S 07/11/09
  19.   Mark Lincoln, all numbers. Looking forward to Armageddon? 09:18  |  S 07/11/09
  20.   The ultimate problem 10:07  |  james 07/11/09
  21.   Who isn`t Cipora? 16:28  |  Mark Lincoln 07/11/09
  22.   James - the ONLY nation talking war 16:40  |  Mark Lincoln 07/11/09
  23.   there`s one word Iranian clerics & leaders should never use - 00:33  |  ivo 08/11/09
  24.   Mark L. #17: Israeli war talk vs.Iran already having started one 00:56  |  ivo 08/11/09
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