24 Nov 2024
Wednesday 15 April 2015 - 15:57
Story Code : 160234

Iran's Rouhani dismisses US Congress pressure over nuke deal

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has dismissed pressure from the U.S. Congress over a preliminary deal on Iran's nuclear program, saying that Tehran is dealing with world powers - not American lawmakers.

Rouhani spoke Wednesday in the northern city of Rasht, saying that Iran is pursuing a "dignified" agreement with the six-member group - the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.

The speech came after President Barack Obama bowed to pressure from Republicans and Democrats and agreed to sign compromise legislation giving Congress the right to reject a nuclear deal with Iran.

Tehran and world powers reached a framework agreement earlier this month to curb Iran's nuclear program in return for lifting sanctions. The deal is to be finalized by June 30.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

U.N. nuclear inspectors are in Iran on a long stalled visit meant to investigate suspicions that Tehran worked on nuclear weapons, a charge the Islamic Republic denies.

The official IRNA news agency is quoting Iranian nuclear spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying that inspectors from the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to discuss "unresolved issues" surrounding a military site in Marivan, in western Iran.

A 2011 IAEA report indicated that large-scale high-explosive experiments were conducted in Marivan, near the Iraqi border.

Talks with the IAEA are parallel to Iran's nuclear negotiations with world powers seeking a permanent agreement on curbing the country's nuclear activities by June 30 in return for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

By The Associated Press
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