Iran to stand by its nuclear rights

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says Iran will not bow to pressure meant to discourage the country from pursuing its nuclear rights.

The foreign ministry official made reference to the latest UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program and said Iran does not “welcome sanctions or resolutions.”

“The sanctions and resolutions are an illegal approach [to the issue] as our nation is being tried for a crime it has not committed,” Mehmanparast said in an interview with the IRIB on Sunday.

However, the Iranian spokesperson pointed out that Tehran will continue to pursue the “nation’s basic rights and not renounce [them] in the face of pressures.”

The UNSC imposed a fourth round of punitive measures against the Islamic Republic on June 9, targeting Iran’s energy sector.

The United States, Israel, and some of their allies accuse Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear program.

Yet, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology meant for peaceful purposes.

In addition, the IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities but has never produced any evidence showing a diversion to nuclear weapons production.