Region | Iran
Obama will seek end to Iran's nuclear ambitions
President Barack Obama's administration will seek to end Iran's nuclear ambition and its alleged support for terrorism, the US ambassador to the United Nations said on Thursday - drawing an immediate rebuke from Iran's UN envoy.
- AP
- Published: 23:07 February 27, 2009
United Nations: President Barack Obama's administration will seek to end Iran's nuclear ambition and its alleged support for terrorism, the US ambassador to the United Nations said on Thursday - drawing an immediate rebuke from Iran's UN envoy.
Ambassador Mohammad Khazee said the new US ambassador, Susan Rice, was repeating "the same tired, unwarranted and groundless allegations that used to be unjustifiably and futiley repeated by the previous US administration" of President George W. Bush.
Iran has never and will never try to acquire nuclear weapons, Khazee said, dismissing Rice's allegation that Iran engages in terrorism as "baseless and absurd".
Rice brought up Iran at an open meeting of the UN Security Council on Iraq, saying the long-term US commitment to Iraq and the reduction of the US military presence in the country had to be understood "in a larger, regional context" that included Afghanistan, the Middle East and Iran.
The United States "will seek an end to Iran's ambition to acquire an illicit nuclear capacity and its support for terrorism," Rice said. "It will aim to encourage both Iran and Syria to become constructive regional actors..."
Her comments came as the Obama administration is conducting what Rice has called "an urgent and early review" of US policy toward Iran.
Iran insists it is enriching uranium to produce nuclear energy for civilian purposes, but the US and many European countries accuse Tehran of secretly seeking to build nuclear weapons.
Obama has signalled a willingness for dialogue with Iran, particularly over the nuclear programme. At his inauguration last month, the president said his administration would reach out to rival states, declaring "we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad responded by saying Iran would welcome talks with the United States - but only if there was mutual respect. Iranian officials have said that would mean the United States would need to stop making "baseless" accusations against the Islamic Republic.
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