"A number of states possessing nuclear weapons and to a larger extent the U.S. do not observe their commitments and provisions of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. But the main obstacle to creating a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East is Israel, which has refused to sign the treaty at all," Kharrazi said on Sunday at the closing of an international conference, "Nuclear Technologies and Sustainable Development."
The minister said that "the bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the Americans testifies to the existence of a serious threat to mankind, peace and international security posed by weapons of mass destruction."
He expressed regret over the fact that "the nuclear powers disregard their obligations and far from seeking to reduce the inventories of nuclear armaments, actually, and the U.S. particularly, develop new types and systems of nuclear tactical weapons".
The Iranian minister called attention to the fact that despite a signed additional protocol to the non-proliferation treaty, plans are afoot to formulate new restrictions for the developing nations which want to have the fully integrated nuclear cycle for peaceful purposes.
"Having technologies to ensure the fully integrated nuclear cycle does not mean an ambition to develop nuclear weapons," Kharrazi said.
"I," he said, "declare for the umpteenth time that there is no room for nuclear weapons in Iran's defense policy. What is more, we consider them to be a serious threat to our own security. Therefore, being a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty, Iran insists on getting nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes."
Held in the Iranian capital on March 5-6, the conference dealt with a wide range of matters relating to nuclear problems.
