• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Regional states cooperate with Iran within IAEA: Kharrazi

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Aug 27, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said here 
Friday that regional states cooperate with Iran within the frameworks 
of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 
"Regional states voiced readiness to enable Iran to enjoy the 
advantages of cooperation with the IAEA and cooperate with Iran within
the frameworks of the agency," Kharrazi told reporters upon his 
arrival from visits to New Zealand and Philippine. 
"Regional countries have a good understanding over Iran`s stance 
and capabilities and when they are briefed that Iran has committed no 
offense, they accept," he added. 
Pointing to the stands of New Zealand and Philippine on Iran`s 
nuclear activities, he said, "Our remarks are quite logical. We try 
in the field of peaceful nuclear technology based on our legitimate 
rights. 
"Officials of these two countries also regard peaceful use of 
nuclear technology as Iran`s right." 
"Since Iran developed the nuclear technology locally, it is 
regarded as among potential countries in terms of nuclear activities. 
This issue brings a great honor for Iran. 
"While our nuclear activities are within the frameworks of Iran`s 
undertakings and under the supervision of the agency, no one can have 
a problem with them. 
"Only the Americans put the IAEA under pressure to have their own 
political exploitation," the minister stressed. 
Kharrazi further stated, "We will prove we are not carrying out 
any extraordinary activity through cooperation with the agency and 
talks with various countries and will act within our rights and 
international commitment. No one can deprive us from this legal 
right." 
Responding to IRNA reporter on the outcomes of next meeting of 
IAEA Board of Governors, he said, "We should wait till release of 
(IAEA`s chief Mohamed) ElBaradei`s report." 
"We believe a realistic report will be issued due to (Iran`s) 
cooperation with the agency and its inspectors. In that case, several 
current problems will be solved and a positive view will be created 
on Iran`s potentials in nuclear fields," Kharrazi stressed. 
He also pointed to talks held with New Zealand and Filipino 
officials on bilateral, regional and international issues and noted 
that the sides enjoy very good grounds for expansion of relations. 
"Iran has a special credit in the eyes of the two states due to its 
role in the region and achievements in industrial and economic fields 
during recent years." 
Kharrazi assessed the outcomes of his visit as positive, saying he
sides explored avenues for bolstering relations in various political 
and economic fields. 
Asked about latest measures Iran`s Foreign Ministry adopted on 
release of Iranian diplomat kidnapped in Iraq as well as IRNA 
reporter, he said, "We dispatched a delegation to Iraq and held talks 
with Iraqi officials. We are following up the case seriously. 
"Iranian diplomat is in good health and the reporters are in prison. 
We hope they will be freed soon." 
The IRNA correspondent in Baghdad, Mostafa Darban, and his two 
Iraqi colleagues, Mohammad Khafaji and Mohsen Madani, were arrested by
Iraqi police on August 9 and are being held at the Iraqi Interior 
Ministry. 
Meanwhile, Fereydoun Jahani, an experienced diplomat with the 
Iranian Foreign Ministry, was abducted on August 4 by unknown men on 
his way to Karbala to head Iran`s consular mission there. 
2327/1423