Iran Will Not Retreat from Nuclear Rights: Defense Minister
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Defense Minister on Wednesday underlined that the Iranian nation will never relinquish its legitimate rights to benefit from nuclear know-how and peaceful nuclear energy.
Speaking in a visit to the Iranian Geographical Organization of Armed Forces on Wednesday, Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan stated that the Islamic country will not back down on its rights in the nuclear issue.
Iran is a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has repeatedly declared opposition to nuclear weapons.
The United States and some other countries, however, have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program. Iran has categorically rejected the allegations, arguing that it only seeks nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
To set the stage for the settlement of the dispute over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program, Tehran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) reached a deal on November 24, 2013 after days of intense negotiations in the Swiss city of Geneva.
They are slated to hold a fresh round of talks over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program in mid-February.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said the Iranian nation has challenged the world’s hegemonic system, and has turned into a role model in the world.
He added that despite the enmity and antagonism of the world arrogance, the Iranian nation has continued on the path of growth and development “thanks to the Revolution and the leadership of the Supreme Leader and by relying on indigenous know-how and discoveries.”
