Envoy rejects double standards on Iran\'s nuclear program

Iran’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Ali-Asghar She’rdoust, rejected the double standard approach regarding Iran’s nuclear program, saying pursuance of peaceful nuclear technology is the country’s inalienable right. Talking to IRNA, he regretted the discriminatory approach of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) towards countries enjoying nuclear energy. The UN nuclear watchdog opposes the Islamic Republic’s peaceful nuclear activities although the country is a member of the agency and is a signatory to the NPT, while it has no objections to India, Pakistan and the Zionist regime which possess nuclear weapons and are not signatories to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), he noted. Referring to the recent IAEA report on Iran as doubtful, he said it has been compiled on the basis of information released in 2004 particularly those received from Washington. Although certain western countries, including the US, have always tried to misrepresent Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, the Iranian officials have repeatedly announced that the Iranian nation does not need any nuclear weapon and that the country’s nuclear activities are based on peaceful purposes. The IAEA’s latest report proves that Washington and its allies are attempting to create obstacles in the way of Iran’s progress and development, She’rdoust reiterated.