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Rowhani: Leader opposed to attempts to access nuclear weapons

IRNA

Shahroud, Semnan prov, Oct 25, IRNA -- Secretary for the Supreme 
National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani here on Saturday, said
the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei 
considers attempts to access nuclear weapons as religiously illegal. 
On this basis, he added, production of such weapons has no place in 
Iran`s defense and military doctrine. 
Speaking at a student gathering in Shahroud Industrial 
University, he underlined the pivotal role of the public support and 
their satisfaction in the establishment of security. 
Turning to the new meaning of security in today`s world, he 
noted that hardware security has been replaced by that of software. 
He further said that this doesn`t mean that the activities 
associated with hardware should be stopped. 
Pointing to Iran`s spiritual influence in the region and among 
the neighboring states as a great asset for the national security, he 
said that this is a big advantage for the Islamic Iran and that the 
country is by no means willing to lose such an advantage for gaining 
access to nuclear weapons. 
"Given the high cost of access to nuclear weapons, their 
production would block our progress in other scientific and 
technological fields. 
"In view of environmental, technological, religious and ethic 
reasons as well as the possibility of losing our influence in the 
region, Iran doesn`t intend to produce nuclear weapons. However, we 
are determined on economic and political advancement as well as 
access to advanced technologies," he added. 
Rowhani said that though the US and Iran`s enemies are aware of 
the country`s rejection of atomic weapons, they have brought up false 
charges against the country, since they cannot admit their opposition 
to Iran`s progress and access to nuclear technology. 
"Iran has denounced the resolution issued by the International 
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors and doesn`t feel 
itself committed to it since the act is politically illegitimate," he 
added. 
The SNSC secretary noted that even the British Foreign Secretary 
Jack Straw apologized for terming the issued document as a 
`resolution`, adding that this marks Iran`s power and strong 
diplomacy. 
Associating the achievement to Iran`s scientific potential, he 
said, "The Europeans who used to impose their conditions on Iran, 
have accepted the potential of our intellectuals and scholars. We 
won`t overlook such a national honor gained in light of the know-how 
of our scientists." 
Turning to suspension of uranium enrichment activities by Iran, 
he said that given their determination to stop the process within the 
framework of a resolution, Iran took the initiative voluntarily. 
The official called on the media to differentiate between 
`blockage` and `suspension` and not leave out the term `volunteer`. 
"The suspension can continue for 15 days, a month or longer, 
depending on the protection of our interests. 
MP/212 
End