Iran defiant over West’s ‘bully’ tactics

WESTERN sanctions won’t impede Iran from resuming research at a uranium enrichment plant, former president Hashemi Rafsanjani said yesterday in a denunciation of the international outcry over Tehran’s nuclear activities.

Iran on Tuesday broke UN seals at a uranium enrichment plant and said it was resuming research. Foreign ministers from Britain, France and Germany, who have spent two years trying to persuade Iran to halt its uranium conversion and enrichment activities, are scheduled to meet today to consider what steps to take.

Delivering Iran’s first reply to international criticism over the move, Mr Rafsanjani said he was “astonished” by the West’s attempt to “bully” Iran.

In a speech for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, he accused the West of trying to limit the progress of the developing world.

“Keeping the Third World and the Islamic world several steps behind has been the West’s traditional colonial policy,” he said in remarks broadcast live on state television.

“Even if (the Westerners) destroy our scientists, their successors would continue the job. It would not be easy for them to solve the (nuclear) case by imposing sanctions or anything like that.”

Warning the West against trying to curb Iran, he said: “If they cause any disturbance, they will ultimately regret it.”

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said yesterday that Iran’s decision caused “real and serious alarm” and it was time to reconsider whether Tehran should be referred to the UN Security Council.

Iran said on Tuesday that it had broken International Atomic Energy Agency seals at its Natanz uranium enrichment plant and resumed research. While Iranian officials stressed the work would not involve enrichment, the IAEA said Iran planned to carry out small-scale enrichment.

The West has long opposed Iran’s performing enrichment as it can produce material suitable for atomic weapons. Iran insists it is only interested in uranium enriched to lower levels, which is used in reactors that produce electricity.

Iran claims its nuclear programme is only for electricity, but Washington accuses it of seeking nuclear weapons.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said if Iran continued on its present course, “there is no other choice but to refer the matter to the Security Council,” which could impose sanctions.

Mr Blair pointed out the IAEA had previously suggested a referral, but backed away when Iran had agreed to halt its nuclear activities.

Gernot Erler, a German deputy foreign minister, cautioned against referring the dispute to the Security Council, saying it could further destabilise the Middle East. He said Iran must offer fresh guarantees on its nuclear programme for talks with European negotiators to continue.