Iranian presidential candidate Saeed Jalili says the West has frequently acknowledged that regional issues, especially the Syria unrest, cannot be settled without Irans help.Jalili who was addressing a crowd of supporters in the northern city of Rasht also stated that the West is aware that its problem with Iran is not the countrys nuclear energy program,
The Western governments have issues with Iran only because it is an Islamic nation, added Jalili, who is also secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
The Principlist candidate further noted that some Western officials have acknowledged to him that Iran has made achievements despite Western pressures.
He also told state radio on Saturday that Iran ranks among the top 10 countries in the field of peaceful nuclear energy despite all pressures exerted on Tehran over its civilian nuclear program.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, despite all pressures [against it] in the field of peaceful nuclear technology, is today among the top 10 countries in the world and we have made considerable progress in this field, Jalili underlined.
Iran decided to enrich uranium to the 20-percent level to provide fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor, which produces medical isotopes for cancer patients, after potential suppliers failed to provide the Islamic Republic with the required uranium.
The US, Israel, and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.
Tehran has categorically rejected the allegation, arguing that as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is entitled to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Jalili will be competing against seven other candidates in the upcoming presidential race. His rivals are former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, lawmaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, President of the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council Hassan Rohani, former First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Aref, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi.
Iranians will go to the polls in the countrys 11th presidential election on June 14.
According to Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar, 50.5 million Iranians are eligible to vote in the election.
By Press TV
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