Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi says Tehran will never withdraw its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.The Islamic Republic of Iran will not back off from its enrichment rights on the basis of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Statute. Nevertheless, the issue pertaining to the level of (uranium) enrichment is open to negotiations, Salehi told reporters on Monday on the sidelines of the ceremony marking Irans official taking over of the first unit of the Bushehr nuclear power plant from Russia.
He further noted that enriching uranium is a sovereign right, and Iran will not retreat from it.
On Monday, Iran officially took over the first unit of its Bushehr nuclear power plant from Russia for two years in a ceremony attended by Iranian and Russian experts and officials.
The 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant was temporarily handed over to Iran after reading a message by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Bushehr nuclear power plant became officially operational in September 2011, generating electricity at 40 percent of its capacity.
The plant, which is operating under the full supervision of the IAEA, reached its maximum power generation capacity in August 2012.
Iran and Russia have assured the international community that the plant is fully compliant with high-level safety standards and the IAEA safeguards.
Salehi also said that Bushehr power plant is the safest in the world. He reassured Irans neighbors over the safety of the plant and noted Tehran is ready to answer any questions in this regard.
The United States, Israel, and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.
Iran rejects the allegation, arguing that as a committed signatory to the NPT and a member of the IAEA, it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
In addition, the IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities but has never found any evidence showing that the Iranian nuclear program has been diverted toward military objectives.
By Press TV
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