Iran’s Chief Negotiator in Vienna: Halting Iran’s Nuclear Activities Could be Only a Voluntary Decision

On the eve of negotiations between the three European powers and Iran over its nuclear activities, Iran continues to express contradictory views. Hassan Rohani, the Chairman of the National Security Council of Iran and its chief negotiator with Europe said Iran hasn’t yet finished studying the proposal made by the EU3 last week. He added that any suspension of uranium enrichment by Iran could only be a voluntary decision. While today, the Vienna meeting between the EU3 and Iran takes place, Iran continues to send mix messages. Hassan Rohani, Iran’s chief negotiator in these meetings, told Iran’s state television on Tuesday that Tehran is still considering the European proposal. He continued to say: “We would fully cooperate with the IAEA to prove to the world that the US claims regarding Iran’s hidden intention to produce nuclear weapons is baseless.” Mr. Rohani said, no other country can force us to give up any of our legitimate rights even for one short hour. Therefore, if we decide to suspend our activities, it will only be a voluntary decision. Meanwhile the Majles (Iran’s parliament) spokesman, Golam-Ali Hadad-Adel told reporters at the end of the Majles session on Tuesday that, Iran finds negotiations with Europe to be a useful way forward but it doesn’t mean that we believe in their honesty.