Iran warned on Wednesday that any possible UN Security Council
sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program would cripple the
chance of a peaceful solution to the issue, the semi-official Mehr
news agency reported.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said although
continuing talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is
still possible, "any new (UN Security Council) resolution would
diminish the chance of an agreement."
UN Security Council sanctions "would be considered as a threat
to Iran's security and will change our attitude," the Iranian
official told Mehr.
Meanwhile, Larijani reiterated Iran's warning that Tehran would
limit the inspections by the UN atomic watchdog to its nuclear
sites if it is imposed sanctions over its nuclear disputes.
He referred to a bill that has been adopted by Iran's
parliamentary national security commission that calls for
suspension of UN inspections if sanctions were imposed.
The Iranian parliament would "defend the natural interests" of
the country, Larijani added.
In addition, Alaeddin Borujerdi, head of the parliament's national
security commission, also voiced his warning that Iran would
suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA).
Borujerdi said that if the current situation was to be continued
and directed towards sanctions, Iran would no longer consider the
continuance of cooperation with the IAEA, the Iranian Student's
News Agency (ISNA) reported.
"Iran ... as a country which is after peaceful application of
nuclear energy and firmly against all nuclear weapons ... can not
be compared to those countries that have no commitment to
international regulations," ISNA quoted Borujerdi as saying.
The Iranian officials made the warnings one day after EU foreign
ministers adopted a statement saying that Iran's continuation of
enrichment related activities has left the EU no choice but to
support consultations on sanctions.
(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2006)