Ayatollah Gharavi on nuclear negotiations:

Uncommon inspections of nuclear, military sites not acceptable

Rasa – A member of Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom has said that Iran’s negotiations with the P5+1 should be in line with the framework agreed to Lausanne and the red lines which have been outlined by Ayatollah Khamenei.

News ID: 2752

Date: 16 June 2015 - 17:25

RNA – In an exclusive interview with Rasa News Agency, Ayatollah Mohammad Gharavi, a member of the Supreme Council of Seminaries, referred to the characteristics of a favourable nuclear deal, saying: “If we think that we can take all types of concessions [with the P5+1 group of countries], but not give anything in return, we will suffer because this is not the correct method of negotiating.”

“Unfortunately, we sometimes get the impression that governments and countries are foolish and we will be able to overpower them during negotiations and win many concessions. We should realize that during these series of negotiations we must negotiate in a reciprocal manner,” he added.

Ayatollah Gharavi said that we must work within the framework of the negotiations, adding that upon the basis of the earlier agreed framework for the negotiations with the P5+1 group of countries, there are issues which are priorities and are fundamental for the Iranian government. These must be obtained in any final agreement. We also shouldn't permit issues which create a sense of distrust among the others on behalf of the Iranian side to remain.

The member of the Supreme Council of Seminaries explained that if the framework for the comprehensive agreement previously reached in Lausanne, Switzerland is reached in conjunction alongside with an agreement to remove the sanctions and if such an agreement is in harmony with the Iranian government’s aims, it will be acceptable. However, if the other side reneges on the agreement then naturally, it does not meet the goals of the government.

Ayatollah Gharavi explained that the Iranian nuclear negotiating team has verified any ambiguous issues with higher officials. “In relation to the issue of local enrichment, the negotiators must be sensitive and must not give this right up. Our industries must use our nuclear energy and its scientific aspects to the full possible extent,” he explained.

His Eminence stressed that Iran has never sought a nuclear bomb and has always sought the most favourable use of its nuclear energy program. “The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei] has commanded us that if we agree to allow inspections of our nuclear sites, they must be conventional and within the framework. For this reason, they cannot come and spy on our sites whenever they want.”

He stated that any acceptance of inspections which are beyond the norm will have implications for Iran’s national security, saying that if this type of inspections occur, Iran’s enemies will become aware of Iran’s secrets, especially its military secrets. It is possible that the inspectors may be associated with the network of inspectors linked to Israeli intelligence organizations and will pass along our secrets to the Zionist regime.

Any move beyond the framework agreed to in Lausanne will humiliate the Iranian people and government and society will not accept it. If the underlying contract is acceptable, the groundwork will be laid for the UN Security Council to lift the sanctions. If the sanctions are not lifted, the other aspects will also not be reached and if the United States also imposes sanctions, the agreement will not be successful.

The member of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom emphasized that Iran should focus on its principles and must be present until the end of the negotiations.

Ayatollah Gharavi added that if the other parties act contrary to what is stated in the Lausanne agreement, Iran will be able to prove to the world that Iranians are a logical people who had come to the negotiating table, but the West did not fulfill its obligations. In this case, the West’s attempts to sabotage the negotiations will be proven to all. It was for this reason that Ayatollah Khamenei has stated that we must continue with the negotiations until the end.

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