Iran calls West’s nuke claims deceitful

Iran deplores “deceitful” claims by world powers on global nuclear disarmament amid futile efforts to present a distorted image of Iran’s nuclear activities.

“World powers have maintained the production of modern nuclear weapons which are far (more) dangerous and destructive than ever before. This proves that their claims about international nuclear disarmament are {cloaked in subterfuge and veiled in deceit},” Fars News Agency quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi as saying on Monday.

He added that Iran’s nuclear success has roused the enemy’s anger, stressing, “Access to peaceful nuclear energy is the absolute right of Iranians. No one has the right to deprive the nation of this technology.”

Qashqavi expressed Iran’s opposition to nuclear discrimination, saying, “Israel has 200 nuclear warheads. (Why don’t they object to that?) We regard this as a clear case of discrimination.”

He reiterated that Iran has always demanded the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction and universal access to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The Iranian official said that it is “ridiculous” to place limitations on the peaceful use of nuclear energy by making “unfounded” claims about human rights and freedom of women.

In line with its membership of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran defends its nuclear program as peaceful and for civilian purposes.

The United States, Britain and France, however, accuse the Islamic Republic of using its civilian program as a cover for developing nuclear weapons; a charge Tehran has repeatedly denied.