Iran challenges US, invites it to participate in Iranian nuke plans
Tehran, June 2, IRNA -- Iran on Monday put up a serious challenge to
the US, inviting American firms to participate in the Islamic
Republic's nuclear programs if Washington had serious qualms about
Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
"I don't think America is worried about Iran's nuclear programs;
if they are, we invite them to come and participate in these programs
and construct the facilities," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza
Asefi told reporters during a weekly briefing.
Washington has turned up the heat against Tehran in recent weeks,
accusing Iran of pursuing an aggressive nuclear program and harboring
suspected terror al-Qaeda elements.
The Islamic Republic rejects the charges. Iran says its nuclear
programs are transparent and peaceful, aimed at producing 7,000
megawatts of electricity in the next 20 years when the country's oil
and gas reserves become overstretched.
"Most of these statements are pretexts they (Americans) had told
the former (Pahlavi) government to come to Iran and build atomic
plants," Asefi said.
"We have clearly said we want the nuclear know-how for peaceful
objectives. We have other concerns about the country's reconstruction
and development and there is no room for nuclear arms in our
programs," he added.
The official renewed Tehran's preconditions for joining the
Additional Protocol of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which
Iran is a party, asking western companies to lift their sanctions
against the country's nuclear programs.
"The Additional Protocol is a separate issue. It must be
confirmed first how the sanctions have affected us while we are a
member of the NPT. They (western countries) must help us achieve the
nuclear know-how instead of putting restrictions," Asefi said.
BH-AA/AR
End
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