Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran AGAIN Rejects Deadline for Response to P-5-plus-1 Proposal

Bushehr nuclear power plant in the Iranian Persian Gulf port of Bushehr, south of Tehran. Iran has again rejected a deadline to respond to an international offer aimed at resolving a nuclear standoff after world powers said they expected a “clear and substantive response” by mid-July.

AFP: Iran rejects deadline for nuclear response

Iran has again rejected a deadline to respond to an international offer aimed at resolving a nuclear standoff after world powers said they expected a “clear and substantive response” by mid-July.

“A deadline is not an issue. We think such statements are not constructive and they will not help in resolving the problem. We will respond next month (according to the Iranian calendar),” foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said.

He said several committees were studying the offer and that Iran would deliver its response “sometime” after July 23.

In the meantime, yesterday, President Ahmadinejad traveling in Africa said Tehran will continue its uranium enrichment programme, despite international calls to halt the sensitive project, reported state television on Saturday.

“The Iranian government and the people have decided, and without any doubt with dignity and glory we will pass this phase,” said Ahmadinejad, after explaining Iran’s fuel cycle programme to Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo in Gambia.

Ahmadinejad is in Gambia to address the African Union summit.

And Iran continues to STALL…..

Rejecting allegations that Iran was seeking to buy time, Asefi said: “It is not a question of tactics and wasting time. It is a multi-dimensional package and takes time to examine”.

“There are ambiguities (in the package) which need to be discussed with the Europeans,” Asefi added.

“We will submit a logical response considering our country’s rights and interests,” he said, referring to the demands for a freeze in enrichment, a process which provides fuel for nuclear plants but can also form the core of an atomic bomb.

“Alleviating the West’s concerns should not be interpreted as sacrificing our interests,” Asefi added.

And what Asefi is really saying to the Western media cycle is:

Iran will take its good time in telling you fools NO. But, in case you infidels do NOT understand we will try to turn the negotiations into BLAMING YOU. And, by the way, infidels, Iran has every intention to make a nuclear weapon – so stick it.

Stay tuned for the Western response……