Khamenei: Iran Not Seeking Nuclear Weapons
VOA News 19 February 2010
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, insisted Friday that Iran is not trying to develop nuclear weapons.
State-run TV quoted Ayatollah Khamenei as saying the country does not believe in atomic weapons and is not seeking them.
The remarks come one day after the U.N. atomic agency expressed concern that Tehran may be working to develop a nuclear payload for a missile.
Ayatollah Khamenei called the claim "nonsensical."
Russia, France and Germany warned Friday that Iran could face new U.N. sanctions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday Moscow is "alarmed" by Iran's failure to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Russia is one of Iran's key allies.
A spokesman for France's foreign ministry Bernard Valero said the nations must "act with determination" to persuade Iran to cooperate.
A spokesman, Ulrich Wilhelm, for German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned Iran's continued "defiance".
Germany, Russia, France and the United States are part of six-party talks with Iran on its controversial nuclear program.
Iran insists its nuclear program is meant for peaceful purposes only.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
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