Iranian Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Asghar Soltanieh (file photo)<\/p>\n
The Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says the world will see no nuclear security as long as nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament are not enforced.\n<\/p>\n
Speaking at the \u00c5\u201cInternational Conference on Nuclear Security: Enhancing Global Efforts\u201d in Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday, Ali Asghar Soltanieh stated that a global nuclear disarmament will best guarantee security.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cThe best guarantee for nuclear security is definitely a world free from nuclear weapons, as a result of which nuclear disarmament process could reinforce nuclear security efforts,\u201d he stated.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Soltanieh called on nuclear-armed countries to promptly undertake the necessary measures to \u00c5\u201cdiminish the role and significance\u201d of nuclear weapons. <\/p>\n
Israel reportedly holds between 200 and 400 atomic warheads, but under its policy of so-called nuclear ambiguity, it has never denied nor confirmed its possession of the weapons of mass destruction.\n<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the regime has never allowed any international inspection of its nuclear facilities.\n<\/p>\n
Tel Aviv has also refused to join the IAEA, which limits members to civilian uses of nuclear technology.\n<\/p>\n
Soltanieh criticized the United Nations nuclear monitoring agency for its failure to protect confidential information.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cLack of observing confidentiality has led to the leakage of confidential and sensitive information, used by terrorist groups and intelligence services to sabotage nuclear facilities and assassinate people working in these facilities, including nuclear scientists,\u201d he stated.\n<\/p>\n
Soltanieh said five Iranian nuclear scientists were targeted by terrorist attacks, calling on all IAEA member states to undertake efforts to stave off recurrence of such criminal acts against nuclear experts in the world.\n<\/p>\n
The top diplomat noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to benefit from peaceful nuclear energy in a safe and secure manner.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cIran has established nuclear…regulatory frameworks based on the three key areas of nuclear security, nuclear safeguards and nuclear safety,\u201d he noted.\n<\/p>\n
The US, Israel and some of their allies falsely claim that Iran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program, with Washington and the European Union using the unfounded claim as a pretext to impose illegal sanctions on Iran.\n<\/p>\n
Tehran strongly rejects the allegation over its nuclear energy activities, maintaining that as a committed signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the IAEA, it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.\n<\/p>\n
MP\/KA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n