US National Security Advisor Susan Rice has denied that President Barack Obama made any remarks regarding Irans right to enrich uranium.In an interview with Fareed Zakaria on CNNs GPS program and in response to a question about Obamas recent comments that the US respect[s] the right of the Iranian people to access peaceful nuclear energy in the context of Iran meeting its obligations, Rice said, The United States has not spoken about a right of Iran to enrich.
We have said that as a member of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), in the context of Iran meeting its international obligations - that means fulfilling its responsibilities under the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) resolutions, as well as the UN Security Council resolutions, that once it has done that we would recognize that it, like every other nation, as a good-standing member of the NPT has a right to the use of peaceful nuclear energy, she added.
But we're some distance from that being achievable, obviously, because right now, Iran remains in non-compliance with its obligations under the Security Council resolutions, Rice said.
On September 27, Irans President Hassan Rouhani received a call from Obama on his way to the John F. Kennedy International Airport after he wrapped up his visit to New York for the 68th annual session of the UN General Assembly.
The two heads of state stressed Tehran and Washingtons political will to swiftly resolve the dispute over Irans nuclear energy program, and exchanged viewpoints on various topics, including cooperation on different regional issues.
During the telephone conversation, Rouhani and Obama also assigned Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry to quickly set the stage for cooperation between the two countries.
Referring to the US-led sanctions imposed against Iran, Rice said the measures were intended to mount pressure on Iran to give up its nuclear program and any ambition for nuclear weapons at the negotiating table.
The United States, Israel, and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program. Washington has used the excuse to push for and impose several rounds international and unilateral sanctions on Iran.
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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