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Iran will defend nuclear rights: Jalili

Iran Press TV

Sun Jun 9, 2013 11:27AM GMT

Iranian presidential candidate Saeed Jalili says Tehran will stand firm on its nuclear rights which are supported by many countries, including members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

"They (Western states) should understand that Iran will not only defend its nuclear rights, but [will do so for] all other rights [of the Iranian nation]. They should know that they can't trifle with Iran when it comes to its rights. Iran is serious about its rights." Jalili told national TV on Saturday.

The presidential candidate emphasized that Tehran uses its nuclear program to produce medicine for over 850,000 cancer patients.

He said nobody has the right to stop uranium enrichment activities [in Iran], adding that the Islamic Republic was forced to enrich uranium after the West refused to sell it fuel for Tehran Research Reactor.

Jalili stated that commonalities between countries can turn into opportunities for further expansion of relations, adding, "We have a lot of commonalities with many countries, and these commonalities can create opportunities for us."

The presidential candidate noted that there are serious differences between Iran and certain Western countries, stressing that the Iranian foreign policy apparatus should focus on those countries which have considerable common grounds with Iran.

Jalili is competing against seven rivals in the presidential race, including Secretary of Iran Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, President of the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council Hassan Rohani, lawmaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, former First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi.

On June 14, Iranians will cast their ballots at over 66,000 polling stations across the country, and some 285 polling stations will be set up overseas for Iranian expatriates.

NN/SS