Age of threat and force is over

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says countries which think they can have influence via threats and force should know the age of such behavior is over.

In a meeting with the Speaker of Kuwait’s National Assembly, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran seeks to resolve its nuclear issue through diplomatic cooperation rather than confrontation.

“The age of threat is over and (the) future belongs to brotherly talks,” he added.

The President also expressed his appreciation for Kuwait’s stance in defending the legitimate rights of the Iranians and said that “such a supportive stance shows deeply rooted relations between the two countries.”

For his part, Kuwait’s National Assembly Speaker Al-Khorafi said Iran has proved its good intentions in its nuclear program and has disproved any accusation thrown against it.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has proved that it is pursuing peaceful and civilian use of nuclear energy and is determined to resolve this issue through diplomatic means,” ISNA quoted Jassem Al-Khorafi as saying in Tehran on Thursday.

Following the three-way talks between Iran, Turkey and Brazil, Tehran made a formal nuclear declaration on Monday whereby it would send some 1,200 kg of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for a total of 120 kg of higher enriched uranium for medical purposes.

The declaration came as part of an earlier plan to supply fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor which produces medical isotopes for cancer patients.

Iran had earlier refused to ship out its uranium under the original deal, citing guarantee concerns. Iranian officials, however, believe that the new declaration can provide Tehran with objective guarantees over the fuel delivery.

However, Washington later announced it would continue pushing for more sanctions despite the Tehran nuclear declaration.

Al-Khorafi stressed that the countries that invent excuses can never be satisfied and that “their doubts will never be reassured.”

Kuwait’s Parliament Speaker stressed the will for promotion and strengthening of mutual collaboration at various levels and expressed that Kuwait “will back the Islamic Republic.”

Iran argues that as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) it is entitled to a civilian nuclear program.