Iran’s offer to 5+1 for dialog, not a weakness: Pakistani Politician

Islamabad, Jan 8, IRNA -- Spokesperson of a major political party on Saturday said that Iran’s quest for resumption of dialog with 5+1 group over its peaceful nuclear program should not be considered as weakness of the Islamic Republic. Speaking to IRNA, spokesperson of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for defence issues Vice Admiral (retd) Javed Iqbal said developing a peaceful nuclear program is Iran’s fundamental right. Iran's envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ali Asghar Soltanieh, had said Iran was ready to hold talks when asked about Tehran's response to a letter from EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili. As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the IAEA, Iran insists on its legal right to produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Vice Admiral (retd) Javed Iqbal asked if Israel is allowed to develop its military oriented nuclear program, then why Iran is not allowed to develop a peaceful nuclear program. “It is fundamental right of Iran,” PTI leader pointed out. The politician was of the opinion that Iran is a responsible country and has always played a constructive for the stability of region. “Iran is a major country of international community,” said Javed Iqbal. He said that Iran cannot be isolated only because the country has strained relations with the US. “I think that Iran should continue to develop its peaceful nuclear program,” said the political leader. Javed Iqbal expressing his views said Iran’s offer for resumption of dialogue with 5+1 group over its peaceful nuclear program should not be considered as their weakness. “It is a positive step,” he added. He said that dialogue is the only way to resolve issues. “There is a need to restore peace in the world”, opined the politician. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader said that US because of its aggressive policies is under the debt of 16 trillion dollars. Expressing his views, he said that sanctions have made Iran stronger and failed to stop development in Iran. “Sanctions are inhuman act, but miserably failed against Iran,” Vice Admiral (retd) Javed Iqbal added. He said that Iran because of sanctions is developing its technology indigenously. Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has expressed hope that as per correspondences between Iranian chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili and head of EU’s Foreign Policy Commission, Catherine Ashton, the talks between Iran and the 5+1 Group would resume./end