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Ex-Iranian official: Iran’s nuclear issue is at the last minute

Iran Materials 3 July 2013 11:46 (UTC +04:00)
ran’s nuclear issue has come to the last minute, former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Agency, Gholamreza Aqazadeh said. However, he says that the president should not be under pressure to find a prompt solution for the issue.
Ex-Iranian official: Iran’s nuclear issue is at the last minute

Azerbaijan, Baku, July 3/ Trend F.Karimov/

Iran's nuclear issue has come to the last minute, former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Agency, Gholamreza Aqazadeh said. However, he says that the president should not be under pressure to find a prompt solution for the issue.

"The main issue between Iran and the West is 'confidence building' and the two sides should attempt to build confidence," Aqazadeh told domestic news agencies yesterday.

"Western powers have announced that the talks could lead to the recognition of Iran's right to uranium enrichment," he added. "This is a positive approach which had not been in the past."

Iranian president-elect Hassan Rohani and some other presidential candidates had sharply criticized the method of handling the nuclear enrichment program in recent years. Mr. Rohani has pledged to resolve the issue through 'prudence'.

Aqazadeh referred to criticisms during the presidential debates about decision-making in the atomic program.

"It is unkind to think the Supreme Leader was not in favor of resolving the nuclear issue,' he said. "In 2008, the West took some positive approach toward resolving the issue. We held a meeting with the Supreme Leader and said that the issue can be resolved. The Supreme Leader instructed us to follow the case."

According to Aqazadeh, president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did not accept the instructions and adopt another policy.

Due to this difference with Ahmadinejad, Aqazadeh has resigned from his responsibility in the nuclear issue.

Aqazadeh has not explained the West's approach in 2008, but it seems that it refers to a proposal for the exchange of the enriched uranium in Iran with fuel for Tehran research reactor.

"The proposal was shelved due to Iran's delay to response," he said.

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