By Xinhua

TEHRAN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi dismissed on Tuesday the recent remarks by his British counterpart about Iran's nuclear program.

British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond told the Guardian on Sunday that the Western sanctions over Iran's nuclear program "are necessary to pressure Iran to end its nuclear activities," claiming that Iran's "mad scheme to build a bomb has to be brought to an end."

"We can definitely make the pain [resulting from sanctions against the Iranian people] much greater," he added.

"Are the British government's measures, which possesses over 200 strategic nuclear warheads ... ranks the third in the world in terms of nuclear weapon tests, and produces 3.2 million cubic meters of nuclear waste 'mad,' or Iran's peaceful nuclear activities," the Iranian minister asked.

Vahidi noted that the British defense secretary's "mad" remarks have disclosed his true intention proving that their allegations against Iran's nuclear program are but excuses and they only mean to inflict pain and suffering on the Iranian nation.

On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast criticized Hammond for his recent comments as well.

The comments only reveal the anger of the British government at Tehran's progress, the spokesman said, adding that such remarks indicate that London's onmouseulock Iran's path to development and prosperity have failed.

West accuses Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear program. Iran rejects the claims and insists on its "peaceful" nature.

 

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