Iran rejects foreign access to its military sites: Negotiator

Image
IANS Tehran
Last Updated : Apr 11 2015 | 8:48 PM IST

Iran will never allow a potential nuclear deal with the world powers to lead to the monitoring of its military and missile capabilities, Iran's senior nuclear negotiator said on Saturday.

Iran "absolutely rejects" any foreign access to its military facilities under the pretext of addressing the so-called "possible military dimensions" of Tehran's nuclear programne, Abbas Araqchi told Iranian Tasnim News agency on Saturday.

"Our missiles, either ballistic or others, will not be under the supervision and monitoring of the other side" subject to a nuclear deal, he said, alluding to recent remarks of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that Iran's defence capabilities was not on the agenda of the nuclear talks with the powers and will never be included in any nuclear deal.

A similar stance was echoed by a high-ranking Iranian military commander who said Tehran would never allow the inspection of its military sites as part of a possible nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers.

"During the previous negotiations, the Iranian officials... have explicitly and unequivocally expressed the prohibition of any inspection of Iran's military and defence centres and facilities," Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Masoud Jazayeri said.

However, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said on Thursday that the inspection of Iran's military facilities would be part of any final nuclear agreement between Tehran and the six world powers.

"Such remarks either show the low understanding of the speaker or stem from the overwhelming bias of the American negotiating side," Jazayeri said.

"Iran will implement an agreed set of measures to address the IAEA's (International Atomic Energy Agency) concerns regarding the Possible Military Dimensions of its programme," said a fact sheet issued by the US following the latest nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of major world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US -- in the Swiss city of Lausanne.

Iran and the six world powers reached a framework accord last week on the parameters of Iran's nuclear programme, with a view to sealing a final comprehensive accord by the end of June.

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Apr 11 2015 | 8:40 PM IST

Next Story