Religious Leader Welcomes Iran-West Dialog Resumption

Islamabad, May 19, IRNA – Provincial chief of Pakistani’s top religious party on Friday welcomed the resumption of dialog between Iran-West over the Islamic Republic’s peaceful nuclear program, saying that it is a success of Iran. Talking to IRNA Khyber Pakh-tunkhwa Ameer of the Jamaat-e-Islami Prof Mohammad Ibraheem Khan said that West must respect Iran’s peaceful nuclear right. The negotiations between the representatives of Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have been held at the office of Permanent Representative of Iran at UN and other International Organizations Building in Vienna. Washington and its western allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, while they have never presented any evidence to substantiate their allegations. Iran denies the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Prof Mohammad Ibraheem Khan said that Iran has remained steadfast against the western pressure on nuclear program. Former Senator added that despite sanctions Iran is developing its nuclear program which is a great achievement. The religious leader said that even Europe is fed up with the aggressive policies of United States. “Europe should distance itself from US policies,” he said. Jamaat-e-Islami leader expressing his views said that US wants to maintain its monopoly over nuclear technology. Prof Mohammad Ibraheem Khan went on to say that US is the only country in the world which has used nuclear weapons. “They have no right to object the nuclear programs of other countries,” he viewed. He said that West must respect Iran’s nuclear right. Former Senator said on one hand US is assisting Israel to make nuclear bombs but on the other they are concerned about Iran’s peaceful nuclear program. The religious leader said only reason of western objection on Iran’s nuclear program is that Iran is a Muslim state and they cannot tolerate to see a Muslim country acquiring nuclear status. The new round of the talks between Iran and the IAEA comes as Tehran and the G5+1 (Britain, France, Russia, China and the United States plus Germany) are preparing to hold another multifaceted meeting in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on May 23./end