Iran: suppliers should announce positive response on fuel swap

Iran says it is still ready for fuel swap and in case of receiving a positive response from the nuclear fuel supplier countries, the two sides could discuss the details.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told ISNA on Sunday, "Iran is still ready for fuel swap. The criterion for the exchange is the amount of fuel needed for Tehran's research reactor, if the other parties are ready for swap, we could discuss the details in this regard."

Iran's President said that the swap proposal was raised to show the extent the other party is trustable and as an opportunity for fuel supplier countries but they used it as propaganda to say they are keeping Iran from going nuclear, he said.

"Such comments by western officials show we still have distance from honest and trust-building behavior," he added.

"Their approach made the issue complicated but we still announced readiness for fuel swap so that the other side could use the opportunity for interaction and have positive approach, we are still ready for it, the other side should announce its positive response, if they do so we must hold technical and expert talks regarding its details."

Meanwhile, over the recent remarks by German Foreign Minister, Mehmanparast said Iran's official stance is peaceful nuclear activities within the framework of the IAEA and under its surveillance.

The transparency of Iran's nuclear activities is clear due to the IAEA inspections, he said and added nuclear program is not a part of Iran's military doctrine.

He then added in line with this approach, Iran will hold the first comprehensive disarmament conference in April.