Khazaie: 5+1 Talks Were More Realistic In Kazakhstan

New York, March 9, IRNA – Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mohammad Khazaie has said the Group 5+1 was more realistic about the nature of Iran’s nuclear program and the Islamic Republic’s expectations during the recent talks in Kazakhstan. He told IRNA in an exclusive interview that the Almaty talks were relatively successful. Referring to the relative progress in Kazakhstan talks, he stressed that trying to observe Iran’s inalienable rights and the fact that Iran was basically against proliferation and use of nuclear arms could remarkably help improve talks between Iranian and western officials. Noting that there was still a long way to go before achieving a final agreement, he said the key to the success of the next round of talks was the adoption of a more realistic view on the part of the 5+1 member states regarding the high technological potential of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program. He also stressed that it was very important for the 5+1 to note that Iranˈs expectations were not illegal, unlawful or beyond the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The Iranian diplomat further said it was of significance for Tehran that its legitimate nuclear rights to be recognized by the other side. In fact, it was a national demand to achieve nuclear technology by relying on the capabilities of the Iranian scientists, Khazaei stressed. He added the G5+1 should also note that based on a religious decree by the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran opposed development of any kind of nuclear arms. As already proven repeatedly in the country’s history, he noted, the Iranian nation would resist any kind of illogical and inhuman pressures when it realized that its legitimate rights were neglected./end