Iran Rejects 'Irrational' G8 Statement About Its Nuclear Program
TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Iran denounced Thursday the 'irrational and unrealistic' stance of the Group of Eight most industrialized nations on Tehran's nuclear capacity after the group rebuked the country for allegedly failing to fully disclose its nuclear program.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said, "The Islamic Republic has practically demonstrated its full commitment with regard to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and safeguards.
"Iran's broad and transparent cooperation with the IAEA confirms this," he said.
The statement issued by the Group of Eight nations said Wednesday that the governments of the U.S., UK, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Canada and Russia 'deplore' Iran's alleged delays, inadequate disclosures and lack of cooperation with the IAEA inspectors.
Asefi said, "These stances are irrational and contradict the realities.
"So far, no deviation has been observed in Iran's nuclear activities and what is being raised these days with regard to Iran's activities is (aimed at) creating pressures and a climate for propaganda," he added.
Tehran says its nuclear program is aimed at peaceful generation of power, and strongly rejects Washington's allegations that the program is being cloaked to build an atomic bomb.
"Peaceful use of nuclear energy is a legitimate right of Iran and we will not give this up," Asefi stressed.
"And the Group of Eight nations must not expect Iran to give up this right; rather they should provide Iran with the necessary means to make use of this technology," he said.
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