Iran Rejects Reports of Nuclear Concessions, Says US Is ‘Trapped’ in Hormuz
Iranian official tells Press TV Tehran’s nuclear position has not changed, dismissing reports of concessions as a diversion from the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Iran has rejected reports that Tehran is prepared to make concessions on its nuclear programme, with an Iranian official saying the country’s position has not changed and accusing Washington of using the nuclear issue to divert attention from the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to Press TV on Monday night, the official dismissed a report carried by the Saudi-owned Al-Hadath channel that Iran had agreed to suspend uranium enrichment in exchange for US sanctions relief. Al-Hadath had reported the claim citing sources familiar with the matter.
“The US administration is trapped in the Strait of Hormuz and is raising the nuclear issue as a diversion from this problem,” the Iranian official said. “Iran’s position on this matter has not changed, and there is no discussion about the nuclear issue.”
The denial came as reports about possible movement in the nuclear negotiations continued to circulate. Al-Hadath reported that Tehran had agreed to halt enrichment in return for sanctions relief, while separate reports said Washington was prepared to offer sanctions relief and access to frozen Iranian funds in exchange for progress on the nuclear issue.
The Iranian official said reports of alleged concessions on enrichment, uranium stockpiles or inspections followed a pattern of claims that Tehran has previously rejected.
Iranian media have similarly dismissed earlier reports attributed to Al-Hadath as unreliable, according to Press TV. The latest official comments seek to draw a clear line between the circulating reports and Tehran’s stated negotiating position.
Iranian officials have repeatedly maintained that uranium enrichment is a right protected under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and have described the country’s nuclear programme as peaceful. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other senior Iranian figures have also said the country’s nuclear rights and missile capabilities are not subjects for negotiation, according to Press TV.
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