Iran remains committed to intl. treaties; no change in nuclear doctrine: Foreign Ministry spokesman

Iran remains committed to international treaties regarding the prohibition of weapons of mass destruction and has made no change in its nuclear doctrine, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani says.

Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, Kan'ani said Iran's principled stance on weapons of mass destruction is based on a fatwa (religious decree) issued by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei which has banned such arms.

Iran believes that weapons of mass destruction pose a threat to international community, he added.

"In the West Asia region, it is only the Zionist regime (Israel) which has not joined the NPT (the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons)," the Iranian spokesperson emphasized.

Israel is estimated to possess 200 to 400 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, making it the sole possessor of non-conventional arms in West Asia.

In response to a question about a visit by Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi to Iran last week and his talks with senior Iranian officials, Kan'ani expressed hope that the agency will be committed to the principle of impartiality to help both sides continue constructive interaction.

He said Iran and the IAEA have managed to solve issues when the agency pursued a technical approach but bilateral talks were derailed whenever the agency adopted a political position.

The Iranian diplomat described Grossi's visit as a "good opportunity" to discuss topics of common interest and said the two sides agreed to continue negotiations about ways to solve the remaining issues.

Israel’s hostile acts should not affect Iran-IAEA ties: Nuclear chief

Iran

In March 2023, Iran and the IAEA issued a joint statement in which both sides recognized that bilateral positive engagements can pave the way for wider agreements among state parties.

They also agreed that bilateral interactions will be carried out in a spirit of collaboration, and in full conformity with the competencies of the IAEA and the rights and obligations of Iran based on the comprehensive safeguards agreement.

‘Iran took various legal, political measures to support Palestine’

Kan’ani also reaffirmed Iran’s unflinching support for Palestine as one of the world’s most important issues, as the nation has been suffering from Israel's war crimes in its latest war for more than 200 days.

In line with its principled stance, Iran carried out various measures, particularly in political, technical and legal fields, to support Palestine, he said.

The spokesman added that Tehran has made necessary arrangements to open a virtual embassy of Palestine in the system of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory operation into the occupied territories.

Concomitantly with the war, the regime has been enforcing a near-total siege on the coastal territory, which has reduced the flow of foodstuffs, medicine, electricity, and water into the Palestinian territory into a trickle.

The regime has killed at least 35,091 Gazans since it launched the military onslaught. Another 78,727 Palestinians have sustained injuries as well.

Regional security lays foundation for lasting economic cooperation

Elsewhere in his remarks, Kan'ani said Iran has taken steps to establish joint mechanisms with neighboring and Arab countries in the Persian Gulf region in order to bolster multilateral cooperation.

He added that the issue of security is a common priority which can lays the foundation for lasting cooperation, particularly in the economic sector.

Iran will take new steps to secure common interests, he emphasized.

Iran: West Asia peace, security hinge on disarmament of Israel, end of Palestine's occupation

The Iranian foreign minister says the establishment of full peace and security in the West Asia hinges on disarmament of Israel and end to its occupation of Palestine.

In an address to the third Iranian-Arab Dialogue Conference in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reiterated Iran's determination to deepen understanding and convergence among the regional countries, saying the restoration of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia is an indication of such a policy.

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