Al Attiyah calls for bold vision to help solve Iran nuclear crisis

Manama: Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah on Monday called for a bold and unconventional vision to help solve the Iranian nuclear crisis.

"We believe that there is still a good opportunity for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis, but a bold vision that is out of the conventional line is necessary," Al Attiyah told the opening session of the "Middle East: Homeland and Global Security Forum" in the Bahraini capital.

"We in the GCC refuse the escalation by any of the parties involved in the crisis to the level of military confrontation because of the ensuing disasters. We have also repeatedly called upon Iran to dissipate the doubts and concerns of the international community about its intentions regarding its nuclear programme," he said.

Rights of states

"The introduction of the military nuclear factor into the region would trigger a new arms escalation and additional threats in the Arabian Gulf. International powers have vested interests and serious responsibilities in consolidating peace and stability in the region, and with the passage of time, Gulf and international security have become closely intertwined. However, the introduction of nuclear weapons in the region by any of the powers would mean a new arms race," Al Attiyah said.

He defended however, the right of the states in the region to nuclear programmes for peaceful purposes.

"They should all be in line with international laws and standards and the process should be clear and transparent. At the same time, all states should abide by the international conventions banning the proliferation of arms of mass destruction," he said.