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Atomic Incentives Dead If UN Passes Resolution: Iran | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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TEHRAN (Reuters) -Iran said on Sunday it would stop considering international incentives aimed at ending its uranium enrichment program if the U.N. Security Council passes a resolution against its atomic work.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi also warned a resolution against Iran would create what he called a deeper crisis in the Middle East, but he declined to be more specific.

“If they issue a resolution against Iran, the package will no longer be on our agenda,” he told a news conference.

“Such a resolution would definitely not help solve regional issues and would create a deeper crisis in the region,” he said.

The United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and Germany approved a package of commercial and technical incentives aimed at getting Tehran to stop making nuclear fuel, which the West fears will be used in nuclear bombs.

But Iran, which insists it is enriching uranium only for use in power stations, gave itself until August 22 to reply. Western powers deemed this too long and hastened moves to haul Tehran before the U.N. Security Council.

Asefi said Iran could still reply to the incentives, if the Security Council held its fire.

“We still believe in talks and if Europeans can wait until August 22, they will get an answer to the package,” he said.

However, all of Iran’s official comments after the delivery of the incentives package have insisted on Tehran’s right to enrich uranium. Under such terms, the package cannot work.

France on Friday issued a draft resolution to the Security Council demanding Iran suspend nuclear activities by August 31 or face the threat of sanctions if it refuses.

A vote is expected this week.

“The EU should be aware that if they issue a resolution against Iran … we will definitely review our policies and react proportionally,” Asefi said.

Iranian officials have threatened to follow North Korea out of the Non-Proliferation Treaty if they feel unfairly treated by the U.N. Security Council, but in recent weeks have remained guarded on what action they will take.