Iran and the 5+1 Powers held their third round of discussions on a comprehensive agreement last week in Vienna. They are scheduled to meet again in Vienna in mid-May, with a view to a settlement before an interim deal expires on July 20.
Khameneis red lines, which the Supreme Leader presented last week to staff of the Atomic Energy Organization, are:
1. No halt to scientific research
2. Continuation of nuclear research and development
3. No bargains over Irans nuclear achievements
4. Defense by officials of those achievements
5. No bullying by the opposing side
6. Standardized, ordinary relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency
The conditions are general and present no immediate restriction to the negotiations, which the Supreme Leader has endorsed since last autumn.
Senior Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, have restated since last weeks Vienna talks that Irans nuclear rights must be preserved in any agreement.
The officials have indicated that Iran might re-design the under-construction Arak heavy-water nuclear reactor, which has caused concern about plutonium by-product that can be used in military nuclear program.
However, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, held firm this week against any reduction in the number of centrifuges for uranium enrichment: he said Iran could expand the number from the current level of about 20,000 to 50,000, if it wished.
Oil Minister Withstands Attack in Parliament
Oil Minister Bijan Zanganehrebuffed a challenge in Parliamentas hemet MPs in an open session on Monday.
MP Hamid Rasaei, a leading figure in the hardline Endurance Front and an ally of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, accused Zanganeh of making false statements when he left the Oil Ministry in 2005.
Zanganeh dismissed Rasaeis accusations as rumors, bringing applause from a number of MPs.
Hardline critics of President Rouhani failed to block Zanganehs appointment last summer but have continued to pursue the Minister, spreading information about his shortcomings and possible departure from the post.
The Oil Minister is central to the Governments effort to revive investment, including foreign participation, in Irans oil and gas fields and to revive its sanctions-hit oil exports.
Photo: Rouhani Greeted by Large Crowds at Start of 2nd Provincial Tour
President Rouhani is greeted in Sistan Baluchestan Province in southeastern Iran on Tuesday:
Rouhani: Nuclear Negotiations Are Collapsing Sanctions
President Rouhani has declaredthat nuclear talks with the 5+1 Powers are breaking sanctions which have crippled Irans economy.
Rouhani told a crowd in southern Iran at the start of a provincial tour, The first steps have been taken for removing the sanctions with the wisdom that the government has taken from you, the people, and today we are witnessing the collapse of a part of the sanctions.
The President said the negotiations had acknowledged Irans right to uranium enrichment and a peaceful nuclear program:
In these negotiations we prove to the world that what has been said about Iran in the past are nothing, but lies; Iran has not been after nuclear weapons and will not be after them, yet we will continue scientific and technical development and break the cruel and anti-human rights sanctions step by step.
Tehran Continues Pursuit of Engagement with Gulf States
The Rouhani Governmenthas continued its pursuit of engagementwith Persian Gulf State through a visit by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to the United Arab Emirates.
Attending the inauguration of an Iranian-UAE Commission in Abu Dhabi, Zarif met UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed.
Both men hailed the expansion of bilateral relations, as Zarif declared, Irans nuclear negotiations are not against any side and the results of any agreement will be beneficial to the entire region.
President Rouhani has been seeking improved relations with Gulf States since his inauguration, notably through high-level contacts with Oman and Kuwait.
However, Rouhani has been unsuccessful so far in arranging a visit by Zarif or himself to Saudi Arabia, despite the back-channel efforts of former President Hashemi Rafsanjani.
US Repeats Veto on Iran Ambassador to UN
The US State Department has restated that it will not issue a visa to the new Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations, Hamid Aboutalebi.
Critics say Aboutalebi was among the students who took over the US Embassy in Tehran in November 1979, holding 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.
Given his role in the events of 1979, which clearly matter profoundly to the American people, it would be unacceptable to grant this visa, spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Tuesday.
The US Congress has passed legislation barring Aboutalebi from entry into the US.
Irans Foreign Ministry said Monday that it would pursue legal mechanisms through the UN to secure Aboutalebis position in New York.
On Tuesday, the current Iranian representative at the UN, Gholam-Hossein Dehqani,asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moonto publish Tehrans letter of complaint.
Aboutalebi and students involved in the Embassy takeover have said he only provided occasional translation during the crisis.
By EA WorldView
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