Iran Surprised Over Indian PM’s Remarks

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Qashqavi dismissed on Tuesday as “surprising and unacceptable” remarks by the Indian prime minister that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons.

“While the International Atomic Energy Agency director general has repeatedly announced that Iran’s nuclear program is not military and India as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement has endorsed it the motivation behind raising such an allegation is vague,” Qashqavi stated.

“This claim absolutely runs counter to the reality of Iran’s peaceful atomic program. It is clear for everyone that Iran’s peaceful atomic program is completely in line with the Non-Proliferation Treaty,” the spokesman noted.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh earlier branded Iran’s nuclear effort as military, saying India does not want another nuclear weapons state in the region, Tehran Times reported.

“We don’t support a nuclear weapons state emerging in our region. So there is no question of supporting nuclear weapon ambitions of Iran.”

“I have said earlier and I repeat that Iran is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and is entitled to all that is needed for development of its civil nuclear program. And as a member of NPT, it has also to undertake all obligations of the NPT,” Singh said.