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Senior Iran cleric rejects package of incentives |
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Friday, 09 June 2006 |
Iran Focus
 Tehran, Iran, Jun. 09 – A powerful Iranian cleric rejected on Friday a package of incentives offered to Tehran by Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States for it to suspend uranium enrichment.
Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, head of the powerful Guardians Council, also said that the world had to accept Iran enriching uranium to five percent. His sermon to worshippers in Tehran was broadcast live on state television.
“The package that they brought was good for themselves and not for the Iranian people”, Jannati said.
“They must know that the people, officials, and the Supreme Leader, and anyone who plays a role in this country will not be satisfied for us to retreat one step from our right”, he said.
Iran must be able to “enrich uranium between 3.5 to five percent”, he said, adding, “They have no choice but to accept this”.
The powerful cleric, who is a top advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Tehran’s nuclear “rights” could not be ignored.
On Tuesday, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana formally presented a "carrots and sticks" package to Iran on behalf of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council as well as Germany.
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