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Iran ready to cooperate with int'l initiative against WMD: minister

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Nov 7, IRNA
Iran-Minister-WMDs
Iran is ready to seriously cooperate in the international initiative to intercept and prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction under the supervision of the United Nations, Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said on Tuesday.

He told reporters that adoption of a regional security treaty was the only way to ensure security in the Persian Gulf region.

The minister's remarks came amid military maneuvers, code-named `Great Prophet (S) 2', that are currently being staged by Iran in vast areas throughout the country.

The 10-day maneuvers began Friday in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman region with the testing of three different kinds of missiles.

Similar maneuvers are also taking place in 10 provinces in the south, southwest, southeast, northwest and northeast of the country.

The military exercise is intended to display Iran's defense capabilities and progress achieved in its missile industry.

Najjar moreover said that the wargames are being staged to test the country's defensive and deterrent power.

Stressing the nature of Iran's military power as being totally defensive, the minister said Iran's military is in the service of regional peace and security.

According to the minister, the maneuvers have two distinctive messages: first, that the Iranian nation is prepared to defend its homeland, and, second, Iran's defense power in response to regional concerns are for the entire Islamic world and friendly neighboring states.

Criticizing the psychological warfare being employed by the US and Israel with the help of their media to portray Iran as a power threatening the region, Najjar said they were trying to justify their illegitimate presence in the region by fussing about Iran's completely conventional defense system.

"The US and Israel are trying to justify their illegitimate presence in the region by making false crises, fake reports and propaganda against Iran's completely conventional defense system and military maneuvers such as the `Blow of Zolfaqar' and `Great Prophet (S)' wargames," said the minister.

He reiterated that Iranian policies are based on good
neighborliness, mutual respect, detente, interaction among regional states and peaceful ways of solving disputes and misunderstandings.

"Tehran's good relations with friendly and neighboring states in the Persian Gulf region have challenged the enemies' hostile policies," Najjar stressed.

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