Salehi slams Ban, Merkel for Iran comments

Merkel and Ban in recent comments have said Iran's missile program is not consistent with the provisions of the UN resolutions and the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

Expressing his surprise over the recent remarks by the UN secretary general and German chancellor, he said that the outcry by Mr Ban and Mrs Merkel has no justification.

I think a new plot against Iran is going to be hatched, Salehi said during a recent interview, calling remarks by the UN head and German leader unjustified.

Referring to the claims by German officials about the purchase of equipments for manufacturing nuclear weapons from unofficial providers, Salehi said that when the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action provides us with an official channel to procure qualified and cheaper equipments, there is no need for us to use black markets which tend to be very risky and expensive.

These are my personal beliefs and I am not speaking on behalf of the AEOI, the official noted.

He added that other parties during the nuclear talks, tried to capitalize on technical issues to put political pressure on Iran, but following several visits, the International Atomic Energy Agency finally closed Iran's PMD case.

Referring to limitations imposed on Iran by other parties involved in the nuclear deal, Salehi said that Iran, under the JCOPA, has accepted to voluntarily avoid producing uranium metal or plutonium.

The West initially had planned to force Iran to totally abandon enrichment but finally they accepted Iran's right to enrichment, the official added.

The chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization also said that according to the JCPOA, Iran has decreased the number of its centrifuges from 10000 to 6000.

Iran has accepted some limitations on its research and development program but it will continue producing 20 to 25 tons of heavy water in Arak facility, Salehi added.

He noted that export of 32 tons of Iran's heavy water to the US will be done after receiving the money.

9191**2044