Iran to continue with its nuke program
As the European Union slapped further sanctions on Iran’s gas, oil and maritime sectors for its nuclear programme, Iran declared there was an “easy solution” to the nuclear question. Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, said all Iran wants is a western “recognition”. “We want them (the west) to recognize our right to a peaceful nuclear programme under the NPT. If they just say this, we would agree to a settlement,” the Iranian functionary said. The longer “they” delay a settlement, he added, the closer Iran would get to acquiring a complete nuclear programme. Iran’s deputy foreign minister is in India for the tenth round of strategic dialogue with foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai. India now has rupees worth $1 billion in payments to Iran for oil in Iran’s bank accounts in India. India continues to source oil from Iran, though over 40 per cent less than earlier. The bulk of Indian payments are routed through Turkey, which might be stopped if a new set of...