Iranian government defends nuclear agreement despite internal criticism

Ramin Mehmanparast

Ramin Mehmanparast, spokesman for Iranian foreign ministry announced that the tri-lateral agreement between Iran, Turkey and Brazil is by no means a retreat and added that 234 members of the parliament have announced their approval of the nuclear fuel exchange proposal.

Mehmanparast told ILNA on Tuesday that Tehran’s agreement, in addition to “announcing Tehran’s readiness” to exchange nuclear fuel, also points out Iran’s right to “have a cycle of nuclear fuel.”

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman was positive about an end to the sanctions saying: “I believe the atmosphere has now become friendlier and there is no need for nonconstructive or destructive conflicts any more.”

The US however has announced that it is still intent on pursuing the path of stepping up sanctions against Iran.

International Atomic Energy Agency’s spokesperson also announced that the agency is expecting the written proposal from the Islamic Republic.

Mehmanparast maintained that the proposal will be prepared within a week. He maintained that this exchange does not require parliament’s approval; however, if the MPs have any “concerns”, the government will take them into consideration.

Fars news agency reports that 234 Iranian MPs announced their approval of the nuclear fuel exchange and in their announcement invited the US and European members of UN Security Council to use this opportunity to “reform their prior antagonistic activities and create a logical path of cooperation.”

Yesterday, a group of national-religious political activists also expressed their support for the nuclear swap deal and maintained that it is “politically and economically” in the interest of the Iranian nation.

However, some government critics have considered Ahmadinejad’s agreement a sign of retreat against the West.