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Iran to have more centrifuges if new sanctions applied: nuclear negotiator

Xinhua, February 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Iran will increase the number of its uranium enrichment centrifuges if Washington imposes new sanctions against the Islamic republic, Hamid Baeedinejad, head of Iran's nuclear negotiating team, said Thursday.

Western nations suspect Iran has been developing atomic weapons under the cover of its civilian nuclear plan, while Iran dismisses the allegation, saying its nuclear program is purely peaceful.

Under an interim deal between Iran and the P5+1 (namely the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, China, France and Germany) on Nov. 24, 2013, Iran said it would suspend critical nuclear activities in return for limited ease of sanctions, with all sides seeking a comprehensive deal by July 20, 2014.

The deadline for the deal was extended again late last year to July this year.

"Naturally, if we reach a deadend over Iran's nuclear issue, both sides will resume their former positions," Baeedinejad said to the official IRNA news agency.

In addition, in the event of further sanctions by the United States, Iran will proceed with its nuclear program and "we will install additional centrifuges," Baeedinejad said, who is also the Foreign Ministry's head of political affairs.

Baeedinejad arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for talks with his Russian counterpart on Iran's nuclear issue.

Talks between Iran and the P5+1 group have entered a crucial stage and "we have currently decided to upgrade our cooperation with Russia," said the Iranian official in the nation's embassy in Moscow. Endit