Deputy FM: Iran’s rejection of Obama’s offer is worrying
Danny Ayalon says Tehran’s response is a further indication of the nature of its nuclear research
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleStuart Winer is a breaking news editor at The Times of Israel.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said that Iran’s rejection of US President Barack Obama’s proposals regarding the country’s nuclear program, ahead of international talks, is a further indication of the nature of Iranian research.
“It doesn’t bode well for their intentions,” Ayalon said in an interview with Israel Radio on Monday.
Obama had suggested that the international community accept a civilian Iranian nuclear program in exchange for Tehran’s giving up its pursuit of weapons capabilities.
Addressing the forthcoming summit in Istanbul, where the five permanent members of the UN security Council and Germany will discuss Iran’s nuclear future in face of international sanctions and threats of a military attack, Ayalon said that the results of the summit will be more important than any significance attached to its location.
“It is important that the international community present a united position at this time,” he said.
Ayalon asserted that the current round of sanctions placed on Iran by Western nations will continue unabated despite the taking place of the summit that will be attended by representatives from the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany. The minister suggested that the sanctions will eventually have the power to bring the entire Iranian economy to a halt.
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