Iran, Turkey hopeful about positive response to nuclear pact

TEHRAN, June 8 (MNA) – The top Iranian and Turkish diplomats have expressed hope that the Vienna group (the U.S., France, and Russia) would react positively to the nuclear deal signed by Iran, Turkey and Brazil on May 17.

According to the nuclear deal, Iran would ship 1200 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey to be exchanged for 120 kilograms of 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel to power the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer treatment.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu met on Sunday on the sidelines of an emergency meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Jeddah on Sunday.

The two sides discussed the latest developments concerning the Tehran nuclear declaration.

The two ministers warned the West that any confrontational approach in regard to Iran’s nuclear issue will benefit no party.

Mottaki also held a separate meeting with Lebanese Foreign Minister Ali Shami in Jeddah.

Shami said the Lebanese president has made it clear that all countries have the right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The Lebanese minister said why Iran, which deems the production and use of weapons of mass destruction nuclear weapons as haram (which means prohibited in Islam), should be singled out for its peaceful nuclear program but Israel which possesses hundreds of nuclear weapons is being ignored by the Western powers.

Both Turkey and Lebanon are among the current non-permanent members of the Security Council.

In a separate meeting with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Meqdad on Sunday, Mottaki said the Tehran declaration has provided an opportunity for further cooperation between Iran and the West.

Meqdad said Syria supports Iran’s nuclear policy.