Iran says no plans to build nuclear weapons
'Signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty':
IRAN: Iran reiterated on Monday it has no plans to build nuclear
weapons, after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Tehran that
any pursuit of atomic arms was futile.
"We are a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and it is our
right to have peaceful nuclear activities. Nuclear weapons have no place
in our defence structure," foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi
told reporters. His remarks came a day after Clinton issued the warning
to Tehran but acknowledged that Washington was prepared to engage with
whichever regime is in power in the Islamic republic.
Washington and other global powers suspect Iran's nuclear drive is
aimed at making nuclear weapons, a charge vehemently denied by Tehran.
Ghashghavi also said that Iran is preparing its package to be presented
to the global powers in a bid to address the outstanding issues. "We are
preparing it. It should be comprehensive and updated... and so it
requires a longer time," he said.
Tehran, Monday, AFP |