Iran's military doctrine defensive: Mottaki
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, April 4, IRNA
Iran-Guinea-FM
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here Tuesday that Iran's military doctrine is basically defensive, and stressed that Iran has never had any record of warmongering.
Mottaki's remarks were made at a joint press conference with his Guinean counterpart, Fatoumata Kaba Sidebe, in response to a question on the reaction of certain countries to a defense maneuver currently being staged by Iran in the Hormuz Strait.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran's military policy is anchored on incurring the least cost. We have a defensive vision.
"Among the 15 regional states, Iran is the only country which has no experience in colonialism.
"The current propaganda being waged by the media of global arrogance will have no impact on the region. Plots used by arrogant states will bear no fruit.
"Regional states will not follow orders made in the name of diplomacy by countries foreign to the region," he said.
"Iran has made valuable achievements in technology and the sciences. These achievements are for the region and the Islamic world to avail of."
Mottaki further pointed to an article in the Mecca statement which defines aggression on an Islamic state is an aggression on all Muslim countries, and said: "The achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran do not amount to threats but are positive steps toward ensuring regional security."
Asked whether Iran would use oil as a weapon, the Iranian minister said: "Energy and oil will not be used by Iran as tools in its foreign policy."
"Energy and security of oil supply are crucial to both energy producers and consumers. Iran will honor all contracts it has entered into on energy supply with trade partners," the minister added.
In response to a question on the upcoming Iran-United States talks on Iraq, he said: "No final decision has been made on the composition of the negotiating team, time and place of talks. We will inform the public on any new development in this regard."
On Iran's nuclear dossier and its peaceful nuclear activities, he said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has resumed its peaceful nuclear activities in accordance with its legal and inalienable right.
"These activities are currently underway under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency and its safeguards regime," he added.
"Iran's regular reports to the IAEA and visits by the agency's inspectors to the country's nuclear facilities show that Iran is committed to its obligations under the NPT.
"Iran considers the decision to refer its nuclear case to the United Nations Security Council as politically motivated. The statement issued by the Security Council on Wednesday shows superior power won over superior wisdom."
He said there were two options available in dealing with Iran's nuclear case, that is, interaction and cooperation or confrontation.
Regretfully, he added, the other side decided to deal with the issue through dialogue but outside the IAEA framework.
"Our talks with various capitals are currently continuing. We hope we will reach an all-out compromise through a common
understanding of the situation."
He said any compromise would have to incorporate Iran's two demands: one is restoration of the Iranian nation's right to access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and the other is to strengthen the global campaign for non-proliferation.
"We are ready to cooperate in both fields," he added.
"The Iranian nation's rights cannot be ignored. With such a legal prerequisite, we are ready for any cooperation," Mottaki concluded.
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