South Africa has appealed to all parties involved in the Iranian nuclear programme to refrain from any action that could further increase tension and confrontation.
This followed a meeting between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad and Iran’s acting Foreign Minister, Mehdi Mostafavi, on Wednesday.
The talks were held ahead of an emergency session of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) 35-nation board on February 2 and 3.
”South Africa continues to consult with the concerned governments and members of the IAEA board of governors to find concrete workable proposals that can assist in resolving this matter in a sustainable manner,” read a statement.
”South Africa will continue to work in the context of the IAEA and within the framework of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty towards finding a solution.”
Mamoepa said South Africa believes there is no alternative to continuing dialogue and negotiations to reach a long-term agreement that takes due consideration of the rights, obligations, concerns and aspirations of all parties involved.
Iran is facing the threat of being referred by the IAEA to the United Nations Security Council for resuming research work on uranium enrichment, which Israel and the Western powers fear would give the regime the know-how to build a bomb. — Sapa