TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned that Tehran can end suspension of its 20-percent nuclear enrichment in one day if the opposite party to the Geneva deal defies its undertakings.
The structure of our nuclear program has been maintained and the 20% enrichment can be resumed in less than 24 hours, Zarif said, addressing the Iranian students in Tehran on Wednesday.
After more than four days of intense negotiations, Iran and the five permanent UN Security Council members -- the US, Britain, Russia, France and China -- plus Germany, inked an interim deal in Geneva on November 24. It aims to pave the way for the full resolution of the Wests decade-old dispute with Iran over its nuclear energy program.
Assessing the interim Geneva deal, Zarif underlined that there is a possibility for finding a final and everlasting solution to the nuclear standoff between Iran and the West.
He also repeated his earlier remarks that "the structure of the sanctions and the antagonistic atmosphere created by the West against Iran is falling apart".
In relevant remarks after the Geneva deal late November, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi underlined that Iran has accepted to stop its 20-percent grade enrichment for a period of six months in a voluntary move to build the opposite parties' confidence.
Salehi pointed to the Geneva agreement, and said, We will not stop any of our nuclear activities, but we will only voluntarily limit the level of our enrichment for a six-month period until comprehensive negotiations are held and a relevant decision is made for enrichment above the 5-percent grade.
The AEOI chief stressed that Iran will continue its nuclear activities at Natanz and Fordo enrichment facilities and in Arak heavy water reactor and will also continue all its exploration, research and development projects according to the deal, reiterating that none of Iran's nuclear activities would be brought to a halt.
Also, after endorsing the agreement with the world powers, Zarif underlined that the G5+1 has recognized Irans enrichment program.
He pointed to the agreement reached between Iran and the G5+1, and said, Todays agreement deals with several sectors, the most important of which is that Irans enrichment program has been recognized, and this program will continue.
Zarif underlined that the Iranian nation wants the opposite side to show respect for its rights, and said, We need to remove the historical lack of confidence and the West should also be able to win the Iranian nations confidence.
Zarif called on the West to discard its catch-phrase the military option is on the table, and said, The right to own nuclear energy is among the rights of all countries and the international rules approve of this right. Governments cannot threaten other countries only on the basis of their own decisions."
"Iran is entitled to make use of its rights, and other countries should not threaten it because of its pursuit of its rights.
He reiterated that other countries should avoid threatening Iran only because is demanding its rights, and said, We respect our rights and the non-proliferation treaty (NPT) members should know that they should not exert pressure on Iran and this agreement that has just been signed mentions that Iran is fully entitled to the right of enrichment right and it will never quit its rights in the future.