Iran’s Entitlement to NPT Rights Accentuated in US Talks: Deputy FM
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Reasserting Iran’s entitlement to all benefits of being a member of the NPT, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi said Iran stresses its rights, including uranium enrichment, in the course of talks with the US.
In an interview with Tasnim on Monday, Takht Ravanchi rejected US special envoy Steve Witkoff’s claim that any deal between the US and Iran must include an agreement not to enrich uranium.
“We emphasize one certain principle that we won’t abandon our rights. The fact that conflicting views might be expressed about Iran’s rights inside the US or in the other countries has nothing to do with us. Some people may have different viewpoints in the US or elsewhere, but this is their own problem,” the deputy minister added.
He stated that Iran has been automatically entitled to a series of rights by joining the Non-Proliferation Teary, saying Tehran accentuates its rights enshrined in the NPT in the course of negotiations with the US.
Takht Ravanchi noted that enrichment of uranium in Iran is one of the topics that have been made crystal clear both at the talks and outside the negotiating room.
The US is well aware of Iran’s opinions, he added.
Asked about the meetings between the Iranian foreign minister and his Qatari and Omani counterparts, Takht Ravanchi said Oman is mediating the indirect talks between Iran and the US, while Qatar has amicable and friendly ties with Iran.
The issue of negotiations between Iran and the US is important to Oman and Qatar, as they seek to contribute to the settlement of problems, he noted.
On the time and venue of the fifth round of talks between Iran and the US, the deputy foreign minister said Oman has to finalize the timing and location, which are expected to be announced within the next few days.
Iran and the US have held four rounds of talks since April 12, mediated by Oman, with the purpose of reaching a deal on Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of sanctions on Tehran.
