ID :
111801
Tue, 03/16/2010 - 12:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/111801
The shortlink copeid
Gunrunning charges against Iranians ridiculous, Tehran tells Rome
TEHRAN, March 16 (MNA) -- Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi has said Iran is capable of manufacturing the same type of arms that Italy claims two Iranian nationals had been smuggling into the country.
Hamid Masouminejad, an Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) correspondent based in Rome, and another Iranian citizen, identified as Homayoun Bakhtiari, were arrested on March 3 on suspicion of arms trafficking to Iran.
“Smuggling arms, particularly light weapons like handguns… is a ridiculous allegation against Iran. Today, we ourselves manufacture the arms they claim the IRIB reporter smuggled, and if the Italian government needs such arms, (we) are ready to sell them to them at a reasonable price,” Vahidi told reporters in Tehran on Monday.
He went on to say that Italy made such a decision about the two Iranian citizens due to the influence of the Zionist regime.
By committing such an act, the Italian government has undermined its credibility and independence and showed that it does not have a proper and independent foreign policy, he opined.
On Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast rejected the allegations about the Iranians, saying they are unjustified.
Mehmanparast also advised the Italian government to avoid being influenced by political games, which are run by certain countries, including the U.S.
The inhuman and illegal approach Italy has taken in regard to the Iranian nationals will definitely have a negative influence on the minds of Iranian people, he noted.
Elsewhere in his remarks, he said the Iranian ambassador to Italy and the men’s lawyers have visited the two Iranian citizens.
Mehmanparast also stated that Iran is seriously pursing the case through diplomatic channels.
Italy vows to expedite investigation
Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has reassured his Iranian counterpart that Italian officials will try to expedite the legal proceedings of the Iranian nationals’ cases.
He made the remarks during a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Monday evening.
He lamented the fact that the arrest of the two Iranian nationals had damaged the two countries’ diplomatic relations and expressed hope that the men would be released soon.
He also said the two detained men are entitled to receive visits from their families and lawyers and the Islamic Republic’s envoys.
Hamid Masouminejad, an Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) correspondent based in Rome, and another Iranian citizen, identified as Homayoun Bakhtiari, were arrested on March 3 on suspicion of arms trafficking to Iran.
“Smuggling arms, particularly light weapons like handguns… is a ridiculous allegation against Iran. Today, we ourselves manufacture the arms they claim the IRIB reporter smuggled, and if the Italian government needs such arms, (we) are ready to sell them to them at a reasonable price,” Vahidi told reporters in Tehran on Monday.
He went on to say that Italy made such a decision about the two Iranian citizens due to the influence of the Zionist regime.
By committing such an act, the Italian government has undermined its credibility and independence and showed that it does not have a proper and independent foreign policy, he opined.
On Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast rejected the allegations about the Iranians, saying they are unjustified.
Mehmanparast also advised the Italian government to avoid being influenced by political games, which are run by certain countries, including the U.S.
The inhuman and illegal approach Italy has taken in regard to the Iranian nationals will definitely have a negative influence on the minds of Iranian people, he noted.
Elsewhere in his remarks, he said the Iranian ambassador to Italy and the men’s lawyers have visited the two Iranian citizens.
Mehmanparast also stated that Iran is seriously pursing the case through diplomatic channels.
Italy vows to expedite investigation
Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has reassured his Iranian counterpart that Italian officials will try to expedite the legal proceedings of the Iranian nationals’ cases.
He made the remarks during a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Monday evening.
He lamented the fact that the arrest of the two Iranian nationals had damaged the two countries’ diplomatic relations and expressed hope that the men would be released soon.
He also said the two detained men are entitled to receive visits from their families and lawyers and the Islamic Republic’s envoys.
