Iran urges global nuclear disarmament

"Iran strongly calls for nuclear disarmament in the world particularly in the Middle East and elimination of Israel's nuclear arsenal," the Iranian Parliament's (Majlis) First Vice-Speaker Mohammad Hassan Aboutorabifard said in an address to the 122nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Bangkok, Thailand.

He added that Iran remains quite adamant about the use of nuclear energy for peaceful aims despite pressure and threats, saying, "The Islamic Republic will continue its peaceful nuclear activities."

"Iran calls for supplying the fuel required (for Tehran medical research reactor) and the fuel cycle in line with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)," he said.

A deal backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requires Tehran to send most of its low-enriched uranium abroad for further processing to be formed in special rods for the research reactor.

Iran says it would agree to a deal if guarantees are provided by the West that the fuel would be shipped to the country in a timely manner, but Tehran's demand has been shrugged off by the West.

Iran is currently enriching uranium to the level of less than 20 percent.

Aboutorabifard pointed to the West's great efforts to deprive the Iranian nation of its inalienable international rights and said, "Arrogant powers used all diplomatic and non-diplomatic potential to place an obstacle in the way of Iran's legal activities but all their efforts failed."

The US and its mainly Western allies have been trying to use their privileges at the United Nations Security Council to push through a fourth round of sanctions against Iran for its refusal to bow to pressure by nuclear powers to halt its peaceful nuclear program.

However, China and Russia — two permanent, veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council — have been reluctant to go along with the plan.

Iran says as a signatory to the NPT, its nuclear program is peaceful and aimed at civilian applications of the technology.

The Iranian lawmaker cited attrition crises, causing insecurity and imposing threats and sanctions as among the West's measures to counter the Islamic Republic.

He reiterated that the Iranian nation would wisely pursue the path of progress and power in different fields and stand against US-led extremism, threats and pressure.


/Press TV/