Iran once again defends nuclear rights

Source: CCTV.com | 03-20-2007 17:05

It's been fifty years since Iran first agreed to cooperate on nuclear issues with the US. The country's Deputy Foreign Minister says Iran's nuclear aspirations should be accommodated within the spirit of that agreement.

At the 50th anniversary of the nuclear energy cooperation agreement signed with US , Iran once again defended its rights of nuclear capability.

Hossein Iraqchi, Iranian deputy FM, said, "50 years ago, Iran and the US signed an agreement to cooperate in peaceful fields of nuclear energy and that agreement approved that obtaining nuclear energy is a right for all humanity."

Iraqchi said even though Iran had greater oil and gas reserves 50 years ago, the US approved of Iran's right to benefit from nuclear technology for economic development. But now countries are opposing Iran's rights.

Hossein Iraqchi said, "And today, the Security Council of the United Nations is about to pass a resolution against Iran's peaceful nuclear programme. That has no legal and lawful foundation."

The UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Iran in December after it ignored a resolution demanding that it halt uranium enrichment.

The five permanent members of the council plus Germany are now considering further sanctions against Iran.

Editor:Du Xiaodan