• Published 15:33 01.12.09
  • Latest update 05:09 02.12.09

Iran: No need to tell IAEA about new nuclear sites

Ahmadinejad remarks come after IAEA said it would tell Iran to explain plan for more nuclear facilities.

By Reuters Tags: Israel news Iran nuclear

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday his country did not have to tell the United Nations nuclear agency about its plans to build nuclear sites unless it used imported technology.

"We are not obliged to inform the International Atomic Energy Agency about our plans to build nuclear sites unless the technology is imported," Ahmadinejad told state television.

The Iranian leader's comments came after the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday that it would demand Tehran clarify its announcement made earlier this week regarding intentions to expand its uranium enrichment program.

Ahmadinejad added that international sanctions over the Islamic Republic's nuclear work would have no effect and any aggression against the Islamic state would be regretted.

"Sanctions will have no effect. Aggressors will regret their action as soon as they put their finger on the trigger," he said.

The United States said on Tuesday it prefers to continue what it called the "engagement route" but warned that it would "go down the second track" if Iran did not cooperate.

"We think that we've made some very good proposals that will address their concerns, and will help them reap some rewards for their own civilian nuclear program, reap rewards in the sense of greater cooperation, integration with the international community," said State Department spokesman Ian Kelly. "But if they continue not to give us a positive answer, then they'll leave us with no other choice but to go down the second track."

Kelly added that the U.S. is also concerned about Iran providing support to terrorist organizations.

"We do have concerns about Iran providing support - material support - to terrorists," said Kelly. "We have a number of sanctions in place already with Iran. And part of those sanctions addressed just this, the shipment of weapons out of Iran."

Kelly conitnued, "We're hoping that they will help us address these concerns...by engaging with us. We haven't closed the door on this engagement. But time is running out."

The IAEA board angered Iran last week when it censured it for covertly building a second uranium enrichment plant near the holy city of Qom, in addition to its main IAEA-monitored one at Natanz, and calling for a halt to construction.

Tehran said on Sunday it would build 10 more uranium enrichment sites in retaliation for the vote by the 35-nation board of the UN nuclear watchdog, which had rare Russian and Chinese backing.

Iran said on Tuesday it intended to take unspecified legal action over an IAEA rebuke of its nuclear activities and would provide Iranians with enough gasoline in order to trump any further UN sanctions.

"(Foreign Minister Manouchehr) Mottaki will declare the Islamic Republic's appreciation or opposition to the (position of) members of the governing body in separate letters," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said at a news conference reported in official news agency IRNA.

He said Iran would complain to the countries that supported the resolution but that it would not cause a change in Iran's relations with Russia and China, often seen as allies.

"We will confront the resolution legally," he said, according to student agency ISNA, without giving more details.

The United States and its allies fear Iran's nuclear energy program could allow the Islamic Republic to develop nuclear weapons, thought Tehran says it has no such intention.

Iran has resisted a deal with Western powers that would see its low-enriched uranium sent abroad for processing into uranium for making fuel.

Though Russia has said it was "seriously concerned" at the announcement of 10 planned new sites, it said this week it still planned to start up Iran's first nuclear power station in March.

"I don't think Russia will face any problem. That's what's agreed upon," Mehmanparast said, reiterating that "all our nuclear activities will be under IAEA supervision".

Western countries are threatening more UN sanctions on Iran which could targets its imports of gasoline. Though one of the world's biggest producers, Iran does not have refining capacity to meet current domestic demand.

Iran says it will expand its own production and plans to cut costly subsidies in a bid to reduce public consumption.

"Our plan is still being pursued, we must be on our own and provide our fuel ourselves," Mehmanparast said.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Photo by: (Reuters)
  • Print Page
  • Send to a friend
  • Share
  • Text Size +|-
 
 
TalkBacks

Why Facebook Connect?

Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.

Add a comment

Add your reply

  • 33. 0 0
    No need to tell...
    • GA
    • 02.12.09
    • 11:31

    No need tell.....the little he told his friend Mohamed (El Baradei)now gone, good ridance. He doesn't need to tell, the satelites do. And in any case , does anyone believe him ? So tell or no tell , no difference.....until he makes a big mistake.....which he will do, as these crazies always eventually do.

  • 32. 0 0
    Clearly we should attack Iran...
    • David
    • 02.12.09
    • 08:30

    Clearly we should attack Iran and only rally the people even more behind Ahmadinejad and make it even easier for him to keep a hold on power for the next few years and make a nuke...

  • 31. 0 0
    Israel needs nukes to counter Arabs chemical weapons
    • Meo
    • 02.12.09
    • 06:48

    The only difference: While Israel never used nukes,Arab on the contrary used chemical weapons and not just once. You see why Israel needs nukes????Bad neighbors with history of the use of chemical weapons.

  • 30. 0 0
    For # 24
    • Druid
    • 02.12.09
    • 06:41

    I can tell you for certain from personal experience that most of the Arab public is NOT worried in the slightest about Iran obtaining nukes. Certain Arab governments are worried but not because of fears of Iranian dominance. Leaders such as Mubarak are worried that their own publics admire the Iranian leadership far more than their own. India has enjoyed good relations with Iran for years. There is no dispute, territorial or otherwise, between them. India's growing economy is looking for a source of energy. Iran would be happy to provide it if only the U.S. would not interfere.

  • 29. 0 0
    #21 not only Israel is worried
    • Lawyer
    • 02.12.09
    • 05:08

    Likely the gulf states, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt. Many Moslems, especially Shiites, consider the Saudi family to be illegitimate guardians of Islam's treasured cities. Not only for their US associations. Also as the possessor of the ME 2nd largest oil reserve, Iran has reason to dominate the Arabs. India will also not look favorably on another Islamic country being nuke armed in their area considering how Moslem's view the Hindu infidels.

  • 28. 0 0
    No you don,t have to, BUT...
    • shoot
    • 02.12.09
    • 04:49

    you will pay for it!

  • 27. 0 0
    ow will a nuclear Iran change the dynamic in the ME??
    • Mark Lincoln
    • 02.12.09
    • 04:34

    The sane minds understood that once a nation becomes a small nuclear power it has to become circumspect in it's actions because it no longer has the 'not a nuclear power' defense against nuclear attack. How many wars were there between India and Pakistan from 1948 and 1974? And how many since?

  • 26. 0 0
    #16 not #11
    • Andrew Jackson
    • 02.12.09
    • 04:25

    #11 I'm with you! Good point.

  • 25. 0 0
    #11 nice try..obfuscate this/ no more!
    • Andrew Jackson
    • 02.12.09
    • 04:09

    Article IV 1. Nothing in this Treaty shall be interpreted as affecting the inalienable right of all the Parties to the Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with articles I and II of this Treaty.

  • 24. 0 0
    How will a nuclear Iran change the dynamic in the ME??
    • Pal
    • 02.12.09
    • 03:54

    Thats the question that scares the hell out of Israel because it already knows the answer(s).

  • 23. 0 0
    ahmadinejad, face of satan
    • charro
    • 02.12.09
    • 03:31

    Just looking at ahmadinejad face, I dont know, either to laugh or to cry, this dude has a face that only his mother can love. But dont be naive, his face is the face of evil, venom permates from his nostrils and hate towards the whole world besides ilsam is evident. he would not hesitate to send rokets to kill thousands of people without remorse. he must to be dealt from a position of strenght and decision, otherwise lots of people will suffer from this satan.

  • 22. 0 0
    peacelovers.....
    • Markos Souza
    • 02.12.09
    • 03:08

    Sometimes is kind cute hearing ppl saying "lets stop war!" "lets love each other". But it is also sad, not to say pathetic, how so many ppl can be so nayve. Wake up guys, the world dont work like that, some ppl in the world dont give a damn about your life, than imagine about your freedom... the iranians have right to research nuclear thecnotlogy for civil ends? Yes, but as they insist in treatening another country, as every move they make looks like deception, as they spit in the face of the only american president that offered his hand to them in decades, its not a big surprise the world doesnt want them developing nuclear thecnology, no matter for what.The iranians are thying to play thoght, but unfortunatly for them, they trying that with the whole western world, not only with the US or Israel.

  • 21. 0 0
    #6 not mad at you! Good argument and use of Reason!
    • Scott
    • 02.12.09
    • 02:37

    Good stuff sir.

  • 20. 0 0
    #4 almost
    • Scott
    • 02.12.09
    • 02:28

    The IAEA is a tool 1 obama's tone is hardly peaceful 2 unless you think demanding confirmatity by way of threat of sanctions and war is ideal diplomacy. 3 you buy the bs that they are building a bomb. Why? Did you buy Iraq had WMD? If yes, I see that you can't see where your coming from. Take a deeper look into such matters and search for truth, then stand for justice and don't fall for the bs! Other than that we're good. I think Iran is in the right on this and they are under attack already, yet they are steadfast and will prevail!

  • 19. 0 0
    #1--Iran is in blatant disregard of the NPT
    • Paul Freedman
    • 02.12.09
    • 02:12

    Tony, Iran is in blatant disregard of the NPT's reporting requirements. It's new tone is different from past obfuscations only in that it realizes there is no taste for actual enforcement of IAEA protocols. This is exactly the tone Hitler took, planning the invasion of Europe, when he cynically announced to a guffawing goon-filled Reichstag that he had no intention of invading France, Poland, England, Denmark, etc. etc. Not to fear. As then, so now.

  • 18. 0 0
    Looks Like Iran Will Soon Go Nuke
    • Jane
    • 02.12.09
    • 02:10

    Ahmainaldinak is saying loudly and clearly that Iran is moving forward. Now what world? IAEA, EU,Russia, China, USA? A big fat nothing is what. It is a huge problem for Israel, huge and I don't see any good choices for it.

  • 17. 0 0
    Israel, waiting for Iran to send a nuc bomb as a present?
    • Saul
    • 02.12.09
    • 02:04

    What is the world is Israel doing? Israel, why don't you wait until Iran bring a nuclear bomb to Israel wrapped as a present? Then explodes it in Tel Aviv? Obama and the world are obviously not going to do anything about it. Iran continuously lies about "talks" Make the difficult decision and bomb their facilities before it's too late.

  • 16. 0 0
    #2 Do you live in an alternate universe...
    • Brian
    • 02.12.09
    • 01:56

    ...where Israel has become Costa Rica and Sweden May I ask, which country oh those two, oh at least half a dozen wars over the last 60 years? Bully, huh?

  • 15. 0 0
    hopeless
    • Dovid
    • 02.12.09
    • 01:44

    Iran is pretty much going ahead with this and is very defiant. So the only way to stop them will be to attack, but that will probably rally the country behind Ahmadinejad and create even more problems (if you've been following, Ahmadinejad's support in Iran is currently very fractious, despite suppression of opposition). The only way I can think of to stop randomly taking Palestinian homes and end the occupation of the West Bank and the siege of Gaza, so the Iranian government will have an even harder time selling its anti-Israel platform to its people. People in Iran are already upset with Ahmadinejad for taking the country's resources to fund Hezbollah and Hamas. That said, this kind of strategy won't end the threat for sure, but tactically squashing Ahmadinejad's support within Iran even further is probably our best bet. As I said, I think the military option would totally backfire, but sitting around and doing nothing is just as bad.

  • 14. 0 0
    A Nuclear Iran Or A Nuclear Free Middle East
    • Cool B
    • 02.12.09
    • 01:37

    Iran is absolutely right, no need to inform IAEA or anyone else about it's new nuclear sites.

  • 13. 0 0
    Mahmoud is my dude!
    • Larry
    • 02.12.09
    • 01:35

    First thing, Iran is not my enemy! The powers that be attempt to program us to think this bs. A clear example of this, I observed, is the news network's slogan campaign against Iran's atomic energy program. It is the same method they used to sell the criminal war on Iraq. "Defiant Iran"- that's the tone being set my so-called news programs. That's the slogan being used to misrepresent Iran exercising it's RIGHTS as a sovereign nation and a signature of the NPT. The media never deals in facts, only sensationalism and is complicited in the murder of countless Iraqis and will be for the poor people of Iran if they are attacked. God forbid! What we need is love and peace and understanding with ALL people on Earth. Not war, hate, and ignorance!

  • 12. 0 0
    Tony, how many times must you be told?
    • SDHD
    • 02.12.09
    • 01:26

    "Iran has the right to have its nuclear facilities. Iran has not signed the Addional Protocol, so it is in its right not to abide with that." You have been told several times that Iran breached the protocol it DID sign. sticking your fingers in your ears, stomping your feet, and yelling at the top of your lungs only demonstrates that you are obtuse.

  • 11. 0 0
    Tony Silver I agree with you, if Israel has
    • Peter
    • 02.12.09
    • 00:44

    Nukes,Pakistan and India as well so why not Iran or any other neighbouring country. Israel, live with it.

  • 10. 0 0
    Nejad
    • George
    • 02.12.09
    • 00:35

    Great picture Mahmoud. I never saw you smiling.

  • 9. 0 0
    Tony Silver; "Iran has the right to have its nuclear facilities"
    • Murray of Montreal
    • 01.12.09
    • 23:34

    and every country that faces an existencial threat from another, has the duty to to attack that country in order to put an end to the threat. Right now the only country calling for an end to another country is Iran. The sooner that Iran is dealt with, the better.

  • 8. 0 0
    First they have to figure out where they are going to be
    • Mark Lincoln
    • 01.12.09
    • 23:27

    That bluster about building ten more enrichment facilities has to be considered in how far behind schedule the one they are working on is.

  • 7. 0 0
    Ben #2
    • thmos pain
    • 01.12.09
    • 22:57

    since when is the west "MOST PEOPLE" do you know the world population figures and its breakdown? i think not

  • 6. 0 0
    Rule #1-Never underestimate the enemy
    • Mark
    • 01.12.09
    • 22:26

    I've said it before,will say it again. The same nonsense about technical disabilities was(in providing centrifuges and fuel for the reactors)was said about north korea. Guess what?today north korea is a nuclear power. Iran too shall have the same faith. Just put your senses together for a minute and think hard. If a country like north korea,which has been under constant trade embargo by the west can develop nukes,what makes you think the iranian regime,which has a wide network of its trade proxies all over the globe cant and wont be able to do it????how hard is it for them to get things smuggled into their home land?I'm not saying satellites dont pick up stuff moving around,but does that include every shipment(through air,sea,land)that goes to that country???and guess what,iran is a big country(geographically speaking),which makes it even easier for them to smuggle,hide,and do what ever they wish(underground),not to mention the terrain is no where close to any arab country(yeah i know they are not arabs), with lotsa mountains and hill's. You cant keep on insisting that your hi-tech would notice every detail in iran. That's ridiculous. Your telling me there's absolutely no way thing's happening there would go unnoticed??gimme a break already !!that's why they have made use of north korean assistance in building deep underground tunnels(around mountains)which makes it even harder to hit. Never forget-under estimating the enemy(IN YOUR case iran)would have unforgettable consequences.

  • 5. 0 0
  • 4. 0 0
    IAEA
    • Joshua
    • 01.12.09
    • 19:14

    What is so difficult to understand,Iran has in plain English told you the IAEA to go to hell and that they Iran are going full steam ahead and will build the nuclear bomb.You the IAEA and Obama's outstretched hand of negotiaion is viewed by the Iranians as interferance in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation.Seems very clear to me what the Iranians are saying .

  • 3. 0 0
    explain,explain
    • drdanielito
    • 01.12.09
    • 18:50

    explain,explain....they are full of explanations,and that's exactly what they want,non end explanations.

  • 2. 0 0
    iran and Rights
    • Ben Rosen
    • 01.12.09
    • 18:15

    #1 tony As far as most people from around this planet feel regarding iran is they are bullies, instigators, and the worlds largest sponsor of terror and decepection this current era has seen. They threaten the existence of the jewish people and Israel too frequently, their actions taken against world citizens traveling in international waters, Like the british sailors, american-iran journalists, people sailing near there waters, hikers and the like have all been taken into custody for spying. Anything that is not in favor with iranian (theocracy) is in cohoots with israel and the west. When some international body sees fit to act on the aggression this self isolated government and finally decides to hand out punitive punishment, the world will be a much safer, and better suited for peace in all regions of the world. If iran doesnt like the west or israel thats their right but they should learn to be more respectfull and tone down their reterick.

  • 1. 0 0
    Iran has the right to have its nuclear facilities
    • Tony Silver
    • 01.12.09
    • 16:41

    Iran has not signed the Addional Protocol, so it is in its right not to abide with that. By a similar logic, Israel has not signed the NPT, so they are allowed to have nuclear weapons. You can't have it both ways. If Israel is not bound by treaties it did not sign, neither is Iran.