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Iranian nuclear negotiator Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi

A senior Iranian nuclear negotiator told a German news source that Iran’s nuclear capabilities cannot be reversed.

Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi, who serves as deputy foreign minister for Euro-American affairs, told Der Spiegel that the Islamic Republic of Iran is moving forward and any issues that were under discussion back in 2005 could no longer be discussed.

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The Iranian official noted that Iran possesses about 20,000 centrifuges, and half of them are being used to produce nuclear material. He also pointed out that from Iran’s perspective the Americans simply refuse to acknowledge Iran’s nuclear achievements.

However, he said that while Iran is adamant it can and will maintain its present nuclear status and is entitled to be treated like any other member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, should current P5+1 talks fail before the Nov. 24 deadline, Iran will not be punished or even accused of wrongdoing by ‘impartial’ observers.

However, shrugging his shoulders at even increased sanctions against Iran which some American hardliners are pushing, the Iranian official said that the U.S. and Europe are not the only players around.

That, he explained, was the reason for Iran’s increased economic cooperation with China, Russia and India.

“Europe and America are not the whole world. When a country decides not to have any ties with Iran, this certainly does not mean that it is the end.”

But beyond the ability of the Islamic Republic to create economic links with non-western countries, the Iranian shared what he suggested are diplomatic fissures in the western bloc on the issue of dealing with Iran.

The official said that managers of many European economic entities are constantly contacting Iranian officials to explore existing investment opportunities.

He believed this is a strong indication that Iran sanctions will crumble and the world will move forward, leaving the era of ‘Iranophobia’ – a reference to the Bush years – behind.

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Lori Lowenthal Marcus is a contributor to the JewishPress.com. A graduate of Harvard Law School, she previously practiced First Amendment law and taught in Philadelphia-area graduate and law schools. You can reach her by email: [email protected]