China reiterates Iran’s right to civilian nuclear energy

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei has reaffirmed Iran’s right to civilian nuclear energy under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

“As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran possesses the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes while following relevant international obligations,” Hong said on Wednesday.

He further urged Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers (Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States plus Germany) to create conditions for the settlement of the Western standoff over Tehran’s nuclear energy program.

The Chinese official expressed Beijing’s readiness to work with the relevant parties to continue to play a constructive role in settling the issue.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany wrapped up their latest round of negotiations in Almaty, Kazakhstan on April 6.

Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said extensive and comprehensive talks had been held to address an action plan proposed by Tehran based on the group’s response to proposals made in previous negotiations.

Jalili said representatives from the P5+1 group sought clarification and raised many questions about the plan and received answers in full detail.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the group of six powers, said in a press conference on Saturday that the two sides of the negotiations “remain far apart on the substance” of the talks.

However, she added, “Indeed, we have talked in much greater detail than ever before, and our efforts will continue in that direction.”

“For the first time, I’ve seen a real back and forward between us, where we were able to discuss details to pose questions and to get answers directly on the sort of issues that we need to discuss in order to be able to move forward. To that extent, that has been a very important element,” the EU foreign policy chief said.

Tehran and the P5+1 have held several rounds of talks mainly over Iran’s nuclear energy program. The previous round of talks took place in Almaty on February 26-27.

The US, Israel and some of their allies falsely claim that Iran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program, with the US and the European Union using the claim as pretext to impose illegal sanctions against Iran.

Tehran rejects the allegation over its nuclear energy activities, maintaining that as a committed signatory to the NPT and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.