FM: Iran to reconsider nuclear plans if West reimposed sanctions

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said yesterday that Tehran is likely to shift towards the possession of its own nuclear weapons if the West goes ahead with a threat to reimpose all UN sanctions, Anadolu reported.

Araghchi told reporters that Iran has previously had the ability and know-how to produce nuclear weapons, but this was not part of the country’s security strategy.

“If European countries re-impose sanctions on Iran in the UN Security Council, everyone in Iran will be convinced that the principle of not possessing nuclear weapons is wrong,” he added.

Iranian officials are expected to meet with deputy foreign ministers from Britain, Germany and France in Geneva today to discuss Tehran’s nuclear programme and regional developments.

Araghchi said the brainstorming session aims to see if there is a way out of the current situation.

“I am not optimistic about tomorrow’s meeting because I am not sure whether Iran is talking to the right party. European countries seem to have chosen a counter-policy,” he added.

READ: Iran plans uranium-enrichment expansion at Natanz, Fordow