Iran hopes to start atomic work by early next week

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran hopes to resume atomic fuel work by
early next week, chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani said,
backtracking from Tehran’s remarks earlier on Wednesday that it
was looking to restart later in the day.

“We hope to restart work by the beginning of next week when
preparations are complete,” he told state television, referring
to the need to get U.N. surveillance equipment in place before
Iran can resume its disputed fuel cycle.

Iran’s proposed resumption of its atomic fuel cycle is
threatening to derail talks with the European Union, which is
trying to find a diplomatic solution to a dispute over whether
Iran is seeking nuclear arms.

When asked whether he would soon be leaving his current
role, Rohani replied: “I believe so.”

He said that his role would either be taken over by the
foreign minister or a new secretary of the Supreme National
Security Council, after new President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
appoints his cabinet.

However, he added that this new order would not change
Iran’s policy on the atomic program.