Rowhani: Iran Has Not Abandoned Enrichment

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has not abandoned its right to enrich uranium as the suspension it agreed to with the U.N. nuclear agency is for several months, Iran's top nuclear official, Hassan Rowhani, said Tuesday.


Speaking to reporters, Rowhani hailed the resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday which authorized IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei to monitor Iran's commitment to freeze uranium enrichment activities. Such enrichment can produce either low grade fuel for nuclear reactors or the raw material for atomic weapons.

The resolution followed a Nov. 7 agreement on suspending enrichment activities that France, Germany and Britain negotiated with Iran to stave off tougher action by the U.N. watchdog, which could have referred Iran to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.

"This new situation is a turning point in Iran's nuclear case because, for the first time, the (IAEA) board of governors acknowledged Iran's right to peaceful nuclear activities," Rowhani said.

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