Iran supports universal denuclearization

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said all nations should have access to civilian nuclear technology, slamming Western efforts to hinder this process.

Jalili said the West must stop "threatening" Iran over its nuclear program.

Iran says its program is directed at the civilian applications of nuclear technology. The West, however, accuses the country of using its activities, which are under the supervision of the UN nuclear watchdog, as a cover for pursuing military objectives.

Based on the allegation, the White House contends Iran should be punished for continuing to enrich uranium — a right it is entitled to under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) — and has called for further sanctions against the country.

The campaign, however, has been opposed by China, which calls for dialogue with Iran.

Jalili, who made the remarks in a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Beijing, said the two countries believe sanctions have lost their "effectiveness."

"We jointly emphasized during our talks that these sanctions tools have lost their effectiveness," Jalili said. "If the West continues with simultaneous talks and pressure, these negotiations cannot succeed."

The Chinese foreign minister, for his part, said Beijing attached much importance to its relations with Tehran.

His ministry, in a statement later, said China "urges relevant parties to step up diplomatic efforts, and show flexibility, to create the conditions to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation."


/Press TV/