Iran offers 'permanent human monitoring' of nuke sites in exchange for Western cooperation

Tehran, Mar 16 (ANI): A senior Iranian official has said that Tehran is ready to allow "permanent human monitoring" of its nuclear program in exchange for Western cooperation.

Mohammad Javad Larijani, a senior advisor to Iran's supreme leader, however, also warned that Iran is prepared to defend itself against military strikes.

Larijani, who serves as Secretary-General of Iran's Human Rights Council and key foreign policy advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei, said the West should sell Iran 20 percent enriched uranium and provide all the help that nuclear nations are supposed to provide to countries building civilian nuclear power plants.

According to ABC News, he also said the US and the West should accept his country's right to continue its 'peaceful nuclear program'.

In return for cooperation from the West Iran would offer "full transparency", Larijani said.

Larijani stressed that "every possibility is on the table" when it comes to Iran's response to military attacks against its nuclear sites.

He did not discount the possibility of closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz or the firing of rockets into Israel, the report said.

When asked about an often-quoted statement by Iranian President Ahmadinejad about "wiping Israel from the face of the map", Larijani said it was "definitely not" Iran's intent to militarily obliterate Israel, adding that "neither the president meant that nor is it a policy of Iran." (ANI)