BEIRUT, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian senior official has said that Iran does not intend to transport its stockpiles of enriched uranium abroad.
There was "no reason to move the stored material out of Iran," Ali Shamkhani, senior advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, was quoted as saying by Lebanon-based media outlet Al Mayadeen on Tuesday.
Uranium enriched to 60 percent could be reduced to 20 percent if reciprocal steps were offered, he said, without specifying the exact quantity of enriched uranium.
Regarding talks with the United States, Shamkhani reiterated Iran's position that negotiations should be conducted solely with the United States and that an agreement could be reached only under conditions free from threats and coercion, with both sides speaking on equal footing.
Shamkhani also stressed that Iran is prepared for any circumstances, including "war," but it is still possible to prevent a conflict and pursue a diplomatic solution.
Iran will respond against Israel if the United States attacks, because the two are interconnected, Shamkhani said. ■
