Nukes have lost deterrence power

Spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi says nuclear weapons are no longer regarded as means of deterrence.

“Atomic bombs and nuclear weapons have lost their efficacy to a large extent and they no more have a deterrent characteristic,” Kamalvandi said on Thursday.

Kamalvandi referred to the fatwa (religious decree) issued by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei prohibiting the possession and use of nuclear weapons and said, “We are duty-bound to promulgate the Leader of the Islamic Revolution’s fatwa, across the globe.”

The senior AEOI official went on to say that while the West pursues the policy of threats in an attempt to make the opposing side surrender, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s policy is based on the belief that it should be both authoritative and appealing.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain – plus Germany started their latest talks on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program in the Austrian capital, Vienna, on Tuesday and wrapped them up on Thursday.

The talks in Vienna were follow-ups to earlier negotiations in Geneva, which resulted in a landmark interim deal between Iran and the six other countries in November 2013. The deal took effect on January 20.

The next round of the talks between Iran and the world powers is to be held also in Vienna on March 17.