Iranian cleric says Iran sanctions will harm West

Tehran's Friday Prayers leader Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani said Iranian authorities have declared that the only purpose of the nuclear work is the civilian applications of the technology.

He went on to add that the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and other Iranian officials have made it clear that Iran is not after atomic bombs, and that production of such weapons are prohibited by Islam.

Thus, he said, anti-Iran efforts will not affect the country's popularity.

The remarks come as the West seeks tougher sanctions against the country for its uranium enrichment work, which it is entitled to under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Ayatollah Emami Kashani said the adoption of such sanctions would only lead to Iran's mistrust in international organizations.

The UN nuclear watchdog, which has monitored Iran's program for years, says there is no diversion in the work while asking the country to increase its cooperation with the agency.


/Press TV/