Larijani: Iran's Nuclear Program is an Asset for Arab and Islamic Countries

June 11, 2006

Weapon Program: 

  • Nuclear

Iran's nuclear program will inflict no damage on Islamic or non-Islamic states, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Larijani, said in Cairo on Sunday.

The Qatari Al Jazeera television on Sunday quoted Larijani, who is currently in Egypt on a two-day visit, as saying the above in a joint press conference with Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa following their bilateral talks.

"Strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on its constant support for Arab and Islamic countries," he said.

"Iran is not after nuclear weapons and its nuclear program will help Arab and Islamic states."

He also quoted Amr Moussa as stressing that Arab states should take major strides in the field of nuclear technology and that Iran's success belongs to all Arab countries.

He pointed to a new package of incentives approved by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- China, Russia, Britain, France and the United States -- plus Germany (Group 5+1) in exchange for Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment. He said, "There are positive points in the proposals although there are also several problems."

"It has been said that the proposals included both incentives and punishments but what we received was just a plan with positive points."

"There has been no negative point and threats of punishment." He rejected allegations by certain media on setting a deadline and preconditions for Iran to give response to the package of incentives, stressing, "Iran welcomes constructive talks with no preconditions." Egypt calls for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear case, while stressing the international community should also address the issue of Israel's nuclear weapons.