Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has reaffirmed Tehran’s opposition to the development of weapons of mass destruction, stressing that nuclear arms cannot provide security.
“It has been proved today that no weapon of mass destruction can provide security,” Zarif said. “Nuclear weapons have no place in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s defense doctrine because we believe that such arms do not bring about security,” he added.

The top Iranian diplomat made the remarks in a meeting with a group of Indonesian scholars, elites, intellectuals, diplomats and university professors and students in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Friday.

He said that Iran has been seeking to conduct peaceful nuclear activities but the West wants to stop or restrict the Islamic Republic’s atomic work through irrational pressure and bullying, which he said was in violation of the international law and treaties.

The West has sought to impede Iran’s access to peaceful nuclear technology through pressure and sanctions but they have failed, he added.
Commenting on the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1, Zarif said, “We seek to reach a deal, and on this course, the West needs to win the Iranian nation’s trust and we stress our dignity as well as access to up-to-date technology,” he said.
Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain - plus Germany started a new round of expert-level nuclear talks on Wednesday in the Austrian capital of Vienna. Negotiations continue for the third day on Friday.

Experts from Iran and the six countries are working to hammer out a comprehensive deal following a landmark nuclear accord reached in the Swiss city of Geneva last November. The Geneva deal took effect on January 20.

By Press TV

 

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