Iran Nuclear Talks: Tehran Warns West Against Pressure Strategy

A Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 file photo, shows Iran's heavy water nuclear facilities near the central city of Arak 150 miles (250 kilometers) southwest of Tehran. (AP Photo/ISNA,Hamid Foroutan, File)

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator said Thursday his country is seeking "cooperation" from world powers in next week's nuclear talks in Baghdad and warned against pressure by the West.

Saeed Jalili said the talks in the Iraqi capital have to recognize Iran's rights to a nuclear program, insisting Tehran will not yield to any "pressure strategy."

"Cooperation is what we can talk about in Baghdad," Jalili, Iran's nuclear negotiator with the West, said in comments broadcast on state television. "Talks based on the definite rights of the Iranian nation."

"Some say time is running out for the talks," he added. "I say time for the (West's) pressure strategy is running out."

The West suspects Iran is pursuing nuclear arms, and is trying to get Iran to halt its controversial nuclear enrichment, which is a potential pathway to atomic weapons.

Tehran denies the charge and insists its program is for peaceful purposes, such as energy generation and cancer treatment.

After talks in Istanbul last month, which both sides praised as positive, Iran and the permanent members of the U.N Security Council plus Germany are to hold the second round May 23 in Baghdad.

A few days after that, the U.N. atomic agency is to release its latest report card on Iran's nuclear efforts.

Jalili said he recently heard "some remarks from Western leaders" about keeping pressure on Iran and urged them not to repeat past mistakes in dealings with Tehran.

"I warn them to be careful and not to fall prey to such miscalculations," he added.

His remark is likely a response to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's comment earlier this month on the success of the sanctions.

"We don't believe Iran would be back at the negotiating table unless there had been the unrelenting pressure of international sanctions. And this pressure must stay on if we want to see progress toward a peaceful resolution," Clinton had said.

Four rounds of U.N. sanctions have failed to get Iran to halt the enrichment program but latest U.S. and European punitive measures, including an oil embargo and financial and banking sanctions, have severely limited Iran's ability to carry on economic transactions with the international community.

Loading Slideshow

• Herman Nackaerts, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, arrives for talks with Iran at the permanent mission of Iran in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

• Herman Nackaerts, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, speaks to journalists as he arrives for talks with the Iran at the permanent mission of Iran in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

• Herman Nackaerts, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, speaks to journalists as he arrives for talks with Iran at the permanent mission of Iran in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

• Herman Nackaerts, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, speaks to journalists as he arrives for talks with Iran at the permanent mission of Iran in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

• Iran's Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh speaks to journalists as he arrives for talks with the IAEA, at the permanent mission of Iran in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

Comments

[altheschrod]

05:25 PM on 05/17/2012

Even though Iran has a questionable leadership of ignorant old Islamic clerics and confused politicians, they have enough common sense to NEVER fire a nuclear missle. Let them be--their educated females will evenually dictate policy.

[Ashley Pertimo]

05:20 PM on 05/17/2012

The US or Israel could turn Iran into a packing lot in less then 15 minutes time.. These Iranians have used stall tactics long enough. It's nothing delay this and that and Obama is continuing to let it happen.. 1/20/2013 and Irans nuclear program will be ended witha new US President sitting in office and controlling the wheel.. Just another reason why Obama must go!

[wwoody]

09:07 AM on 05/18/2012

Ha...Ha...anymore jokes.

[Ashley Pertimo]

05:40 PM on 05/18/2012

The joke is you ....

[sonja121733]

05:00 PM on 05/17/2012

Their pulling the wool over our eyes. Are they that blind in DC ??

[voigtkarl]

04:27 PM on 05/17/2012

Look the western powers have already decided to start WWIII, using Iran as an excuse. They feel they have to do it to create another bubble to rescue western economies, provide employment, put an end to dissent and impending global revolutions by the 99% demanding real democracy, jobs and benefits they need to survive. That's why they created WWI and WWII after all. That's why wars are endless, they stimulate collapsing economies, temporarily at least. After the war, well, that's another story, but they don't think that far ahead. Steeped in numerous delusions, they believe all kinds of insane nonsense, like they can control the scope of the war once started, it will turn out the way they want, we will all sacrifice ourselves believing their propaganda about the righteousness of it, etc.

[holleygrizz]

05:23 PM on 05/17/2012

WWI began after Duke Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated. WWII began with the Nazi's annexing tracts of land throughout Europe. Nobody is trying to start WWIII, Iran is simply trying to be like Hussein was in the first Gulf War: they get props for standing up to America, then America rebuilds their nation for them. That is all.
And by the way, war does stimulate economies, that is why the recession was held off temporarily nowadays, and why WWII pulled us out of the Great Depression. It may not be a glorias fact, but it is a fact nonetheless.

[wwoody]

02:10 AM on 05/19/2012

Our last two wars were fought on a credit card (China). During the Bush administration congress gave Bush a blank check...and were still paying for it now. WW1 and WW2 were just training wheels..compare to WW3...we'll have a world wide depression that would last for many years to come with no end in sight.

[straight skinny]

03:56 PM on 05/17/2012

That's never going to happen in my view-at least the way They want it to happen. Their threats are empty and meaningless. Nobody listens to them in a serious manner as all they are doing is trying to buy time and keep others off balance-Ain't gonna work.

"Saeed Jalili said the talks in the Iraqi capital have to recognize Iran's rights to a nuclear program, insisting Tehran will not yield to any "pressure strategy."

[smp276dp]

03:54 PM on 05/17/2012

Those Iranians love to make idle threats.
They are always warning America. Turn the place into glass.

[holleygrizz]

05:26 PM on 05/17/2012

America loves to make idle threats too. We have been threatening them for quite some time now, but they have not stopped their enrichment program, and we have done nothing about it. Iran knows that Russia, China, and India (the nations who buy oil from Iran, and still do business with Iran's Central Bank despite the sanctions) will not let the UN do anything about it. It is the same reason that Assad is still getting away with murdering thousands of his own people in Syria and we have done nothing about it.

[smp276dp]

06:08 PM on 05/17/2012

You one of those negative guys I see.
America has a long history of doing good in this world.
Know you tell me the good Iran has done?
Think about it and get back to be in about three years.

[CamelPaw357]

03:19 PM on 05/17/2012

It has never been more clear. Now is the time to strike Iran and take them out. If we are less than proactive in this endeavor, every man, women, and child in Israel will die a most horrible death when Iran strikes them with their new nuclear missiles and bombs. We cannot stand by and just watch this happen.

[holleygrizz]

05:30 PM on 05/17/2012

Since Iran is using generic homemade technology to continue their uranium enrichment program, I say we just send a stealth bomber over there and drop a bomb directly on top of their nuclear lab. The labs will be destroyed along with the technology and scientist, and they will probably even go nuclear taking out all of Tehran. After that, the Iranian people will most likely be willing to give up nuclear technology because of the damage it inflicted upon their own people combined with the sanctions by western nations. To top it off, they probably wouldn't even know it was a bomb that destroyed it. They are working sub-grade parts that would easily go up accidently. They would accuse us of it no doubt, but we would simply deny it citing their poor quality technology and limited knowlege of it.

[dogpaddle47]

08:03 PM on 05/17/2012

1. Iran doesn't have nuclear weapons. Iran can't complete one until 2015 at the earliest.

2. Iran's leaders are not insane. They know that if they were to use nuclear weapons, Iran would be destroyed, just as ANY other country would be destroyed for using nukes. It's something the world can't tolerate.

[CamelPaw357]

09:03 PM on 05/17/2012

Yes, Iran would be destroyed but we don't want them to destroy Israel first. And remember, they do not think like us; they have much different values. Life means very little to them. Death, murder, buggery, and hate is what they value. They could care less if their entire country was destroyed, as long as they inflict the pain, death, and suffering they desire. They are some of the most vicious, cold blooded, blood thirsty people on the face of this planet. We must take bold and aggressive action now.

[KIVPossum]

02:12 PM on 05/17/2012

Israel is exempt from inspections because it refused to sign the NPT. Why can't Iran just revoke their participation in the treaty and do as Israel has done?

[aolcom]

03:28 PM on 05/17/2012

because Israel will bomb them if they dont comply NO BRAG,JUST FACT.

[Jack113]

05:07 PM on 05/17/2012

Because Israel is a terrorist state and Iran has nothing to hide and will not be bullied.

[dogpaddle47]

08:07 PM on 05/17/2012

The first part of your statement is correct. Iran undoubtedly does have something to hide. However, Israel's nuclear/biological/chemical weapons must be addressed also. Their "leaders" are a bit crazy and extremely corrupt.

[Larry Sirhall]

01:46 PM on 05/17/2012

Iran should listen to Weird Al Yankovich's song "bomb, bomb, bomb; bomb, bomb Iran." This should provide the Ayatollah with some insight as to how the American public thinks, and reacts. And, we are not afraid to use the nukes if circumstances warrant because "Nagasaki lets the good times roll...." My point is this: there comes a point of no return. Iran needs to understand that we, "the West," has limits. And once reached, we really are a bit crazy. Larry

[dogpaddle47]

08:12 PM on 05/17/2012

Please, go back to your video games.

[Anybodyseenthepopos]

12:22 PM on 05/17/2012

Looks like someone is trying desperately to save face.

IF you're really and truly NOT trying to make nuclear weapons or achieve nuclear weaponizing capability, then there should be NO problem with thorough and COMPLETE inspections.

[Donimo70]

01:43 PM on 05/17/2012

Like with Israel.

[ca va pas non]

02:32 PM on 05/17/2012

yeah but israel is not bound by npt resolution blah blah blah ... comes to think of it israel is not bound by any law anywhere anytime soon

[Anybodyseenthepopos]

02:35 PM on 05/17/2012

Sorry I don't remember Israel signing ANY international AGREEMENTS giving anyone the right to demand that.

Do YOU?

[dogpaddle47]

02:13 PM on 05/17/2012

Seems extremely inappropriate for a Jewish person to talk about Iran not making nuclear weapons and complete inspections.

[ca va pas non]

05:22 PM on 05/17/2012

well actually and based on observation it has become the most appropriate thing for israelis to talk about these days. weather we find the double standard amusing or not it is a different story

[The Mighty Cynic]

12:19 PM on 05/17/2012

Completely off-center headline -- the article shows that the West has threatened to strike Iran over its CIVILIAN nuclear program which it ONLY SPECULATES may be a facade for a weaponized program (still ZERO evidence).

Thus, the West threatens Iran, not vice versa. Iran has measured their response against such a threat. HP is exemplary of the journalistic failures of the day.

[lorddesmordes]

12:53 PM on 05/17/2012

Its easy to make weapons grade material in a nuclear reactor, hence why they want full disclosure.

[PermanentVacancy]

01:27 PM on 05/17/2012

The US and Izraeel don't want full disclosure about the nuclear program what they want is regime change and Israel/US full undisclosed Dominance over the entire Region.
Comply and be a US Empire puppet, lick Israel boots and make sure you compliment them thoroughly since their egos are soooooooooooooo fragile.....then we won't bomb you into the stone age. :)

[rocknhula]

01:20 PM on 05/17/2012

Mighty Cynic- Proof Iran is endeavoring forward with an atomic bomb program is well know by the world's intell agencies. Study the satelite photographs of their program. The centrifuges are 500' underground with blast shields on the mountain above them. The cost of refining supposed medical isotopes this way is 1000 times more than if they bought them on the world market. The best revelation from the photographs is~ no electrical grid anywhere around the reactors. You need wires to claim it's for electricity. Behind the scenes they are wraning us that they pose the same threat to us as any country with long range ICBMs so, leave them alone. What I can say is- it is our consensus that if they ever think of attacking us with nuclear weapons we will burn them to a nuclear cinder. Not one blade of grass will be left alive within their terrirtorial borders. Iran would cease to exist. I believe this matter is coming to a head before or after the US presidential elections.

[Joe Rue]

03:45 PM on 05/17/2012

great reply!!! well done!!

[holleygrizz]

05:36 PM on 05/17/2012

I agree with everything you said, except for there is already no grass in Iran.

[sr25fullauto]

11:27 AM on 05/17/2012

Take one look at our economy, unemployment rate, foreclosure rate, people going hungry and the gap widening between the rich and the poor in the United States and try to tell me terrorist acts are not being committed right here at home.

[Enso]

11:12 AM on 05/17/2012

Iranian politician sez: "time for West pressure strategy is running out."

Nooooo... that changes EVERYTHING!

[hiker326]

09:35 AM on 05/17/2012

Look, I'm not against Iran having nuclear technology for power and other peaceful purposes... they just need to be monitored. If they aren't trying to build a weapon then they should have nothing to hide and allow inspectors into all sites and agree to have the uranium enriched elsewhere where it can then be brought back into the country for peaceful means. They lose any sort of trust considering their continued support of terror groups; who is to say they won't pass these weapons along to groups like Hamas or Hezzbolah.

[Richard Pearce]

10:12 AM on 05/17/2012

Item number one, all the sites in Iran where enriched nuclear material is made, stored, or used are in fact extensively monitored (24-7 video surveilance, frequent random no-knock on-site auditing of material, equipment, practices, and testing, frequent audits including physical inventorying) as per the NNPT agreement Iran signed. Item number two, Iran tried going the relying on foreign enrichment route more than once, only to see the deals broken by some of the very nations who are complaining that Iran should not be allowed to enrich. Item number three, those 'terror groups' are terror groups the same way the ANC was, and reasoning that Iran needs to be prevented from having a civilian nuclear program on the grounds it might pass on the weapons that exist only in the fantasies of the propaganda departments of the US and Israel seems to set a pretty bizarre standard that would, if applied more broadly, mean the US has to be forced to give up all its military programs, Israel would have the Fifth Fleet parked just outside its territorial waters with all weapons systems up and aimed at every Israeli military and nuclear site, Britain would be under sanctions until it gave up its Navy...

[Enso]

11:13 AM on 05/17/2012

Senseless drivel form Rashid Pearce.

[thebosssssny]

12:14 PM on 05/17/2012

Item number one, Israel and America let the world know about a few undisclosed locations Iran forgot to mention. Item two it's the inspectors that say something fishy is going on. So tell you propeganda elsewhere. And I know it hurts you to know Iran will NEVER have nukes

[ca va pas non]

03:09 PM on 05/17/2012

i like your posts where you typically start with "look i'm not an iranophobe but let me go off on a diatribe...
if you think iran is going to let the us have the pleasure of mapping all its military sites you're wrong, regardless of your feelings for hezbollah or any other group. and if it comes to a contest at the end it will look like what we've had for many years under different pretexts, nothing new