Iran, US should iron out Tehran nuclear issue: Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran’s nuclear energy program has been politicized by the West and that it is currently a problem between Tehran and Washington.

“All the member states of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and even the P5+1 countries (including the US, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) have clearly told us that Iran should solve this problem [regarding its nuclear energy program] with the US,” IRNA quoted Ahmadinejad as telling reporters on the sidelines of the 5th Bali Democracy Forum in Indonesia on Thursday.

“We have announced that the representatives of all governments can visit Iran’s nuclear facilities because Iran is the only country which has opened the doors of its nuclear facilities to the media,” he added.

Ahmadinejad lashed out at the IAEA for being swayed by the colonialist policies of certain countries, adding, “To resolve Iran’s nuclear issue, there is no need for the presence of any other new organization, and the only thing required is for the US government to modify its behavior, and such a change in behavior would be undoubtedly to the benefit of the US government and nation.”

The Iranian chief executive also pointed out that the IAEA has visited Iran’s nuclear facilities several times and has announced in over 10 reports that it has never found any indication of diversion in Tehran’s nuclear program toward military purposes.

“However, the same Agency has never issued any report on the nuclear disarmament of the US government, because it (IAEA) is under the control of the countries which possess the atom bomb,” Ahmadinejad noted.

The United States, Israel and some of their allies have frequently accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Iran rejects the allegation, arguing that as a committed signatory to Non-Proliferation Treaty and an IAEA member, it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.