Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that the country is ready for nuclear negotiations, depending on how serious the other parties are in this regard.
He made the statement following a meeting with visiting Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi earlier in the day in the Iranian capital, Tehran, according to Iran's Foreign Ministry.
Araghchi described his talks with Grossi as "good and constructive," stressing that the two sides would "chart a new path for reducing tensions regarding the nuclear issue between Iran, the agency, and other parties."
Also on Thursday, following a meeting with Grossi, Mohammad Eslami, president of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), warned that Tehran would respond promptly to any resolutions issued by the IAEA Board of Governors against the country.
"Iran has consistently declared that any interference in its nuclear matters will face firm counteraction. Iran will not allow ineffective pressures [applied by the U.S. and Western nations] over the years. We will continue our plans based on Iran's national interests and security framework, and any [anti-Iran] resolution will give Iran the right to take countermeasures," said Eslami at a joint press conference with Grossi.
The Iranian nuclear chief also expressed his willingness to maintain interactions with the IAEA. "If they choose the path of interaction, Iran would also interact in response," he said.
For his part, Grossi emphasized that Iran's nuclear facilities should not be attacked.
He made the remarks in response to a question about Israel's threats to attack Iran's nuclear sites, saying, "I have always stressed that nuclear installations should not be subject to any attack."
According to Grossi, the agency and Iran have been cooperating for a long time, and "now is an important time to achieve palpable results and convey the message to the world that we choose a path other than confrontation."
"The fact that action is being considered by some countries at the board of governors of the IAEA, the fact that international tensions and regional tensions do exist, these show that the space for negotiation and diplomacy is not getting bigger, is getting smaller. And it is in any case, my responsibility, as head of the IAEA, to always look for technically sound solutions that will widen the space for understandings," Grossi said at the press conference.
Heading a delegation, Grossi arrived in Tehran Wednesday night for talks with Iranian officials, and is scheduled to visit Iran's Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities on Friday.
His visit comes as several outstanding issues remain unresolved between Tehran and the IAEA, including the agency's claims of having found "traces of uranium" at a number of "undeclared" Iranian sites, which Iran has repeatedly rejected.
Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, accepting restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions by the West. However, the United States withdrew from the agreement in May 2018, reinstating sanctions and prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments.
Iranian officials hold talks with visiting UN nuclear watchdog chief
Iranian officials hold talks with visiting UN nuclear watchdog chief
Iranian officials hold talks with visiting UN nuclear watchdog chief
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Peruvian counterpart Dina Boluarte on Thursday attended the opening ceremony of the Chancay Port via video link.
Xi flew in earlier Thursday to pay a state visit to Peru and to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
At the opening ceremony, the two heads of state heard reports given by the heads of transportation departments of both countries and watched a video presentation on the Chancay Port project. Representatives from both China and Peru at the project site reported to the two leaders, requesting authorization to commence port operations.
The two heads of state gave the order, announcing opening of the port.
Xi extended his congratulations on the successful opening of the Chancay Port and expressed respect for the builders from both countries who overcame difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, worked together, and completed all tasks with high quality.
Noting that it is exciting and inspiring to see a modern port has been built in just a few years, Xi said the Chancay Port is not only a deep-water port but also South America's first smart and green port which, once going into operation, will bring significant benefits to Peru, create a large number of jobs, and strongly reinforce Peru's position as a gateway connecting land and sea, linking Asia and Latin America.
Over 2,000 years ago, ancestors of the Chinese nation set sail, braving rough seas to open up the Maritime Silk Road connecting East and West. More than 500 years ago, ancestors of the Peruvians, the Incas, fearlessly crossed towering mountains and built the Inca Trail, which spanned the Andes from north to south. Today, the Chancay Port is becoming a new starting point for the "Inca Trail of the New Era", according to Xi.
From Chancay to Shanghai, what people are witnessing is not only the fruitful implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative in Peru but also the construction of a new land-sea corridor linking Asia and Latin America in the new era, Xi said.
Xi called for concerted efforts from both sides to build, manage and operate the Chancay Port well, continuously improving its capacity, efficiency and the level of comprehensive service.
Xi urged efforts to actively explore the port's role in bolstering logistics, thus promoting trade with logistics, and industries with trade, so as to empower the Pacific Rim economies including China and Peru in their pursuit of common prosperity based on the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.
The port is also expected to provide a path to prosperity and happiness for Peru and the broader Latin American and Caribbean region, deliver mutual benefits and win-win results across a wider space and bring more tangible gains and satisfaction to the people of all countries involved, Xi added.
Boluarte said that the opening of the Chancay Port is a historic moment that fills all the people of Peru with pride. This grand project, jointly built by China and Peru under the Belt and Road Initiative, marks a critical step for Peru towards its goal of becoming an international hub for shipping and trade, she said, adding that it will help Peru become a vital gateway connecting Latin America and Asia, and that it will strongly promote Latin American integration and prosperity.
The port's entry into operation will open a new chapter in Peru's economic development, further enhancing the country's competitiveness and bringing greater benefits to all Peruvians, she noted, expressing gratitude to China for its trust and support.
The Chancay Port is located 80 kilometers north of Peru's capital, Lima, and is a key project under the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Peru. After the port's opening, the shipping time between China and Peru will be reduced to 23 days for an one-way trip, cutting logistics costs by more than 20 percent. The port will also create over 8,000 direct job opportunities annually for Peru.
Xi attended the welcome banquet hosted by Boluarte on Thursday.
Xi, Peruvian president attend opening ceremony of Chancay Port via video
