World | Pakistan
Riaz Khan supports Tehran's nuclear bid
Iran has the right to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said yesterday, opposing UN sanctions against the Middle East nation for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.
- AP
- Published: 00:00 December 27, 2006
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Selective and unjust sanctions
Selective and unjust sanctions
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Iran backed dangerously into a corner
Iran backed dangerously into a corner
Islamabad : Iran has the right to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said yesterday, opposing UN sanctions against the Middle East nation for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.
"Pakistan had never been in favour of sanctions against Iran," Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan said. "We always emphasised that there ought to be a diplomatic solution of the Iranian nuclear issue."
Khan's comments came after the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution on Saturday to bar countries from supplying Iran with materials and technology that could contribute to its nuclear and missile programmes.
The sanctions also freeze the Iranian assets of 10 key companies and 12 individuals related to those programmes.
Peaceful technology
Khan said that Pakistan was still studying provisions of the UN resolution, but added they would not affect cooperation between the two countries as their relationship did not involve nuclear technology.
The Foreign Ministry official said that Iran should be allowed to acquire peaceful nuclear technology under UN supervision.
"We believe that Iran has the right to access peaceful nuclear technology under IAEA safeguards," Khan said referring to the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Iran is accused by the United States of trying to develop nuclear weapons but Iranian leaders say their country's nuclear programme is aimed at generating electricity.
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