Iran vowed Tuesday to continue its nuclear program, while rejecting to pursue nuclear weapons, the state television reported.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks at a ceremony to mark the death anniversary of the Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini at Khomeini's shrine in southern Tehran June 3, 2008. [Agencies]
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated the stance in a televised speech at a ceremony honoring Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.
Khamenei said that Iran is not after nuclear weapons but peaceful use of nuclear energy, the stance that the country "has announced a number of times".
"No wise nation is interested in making a nuclear weapon, since it is not logical and can not be used," stressed the Iranian leader.
Earlier on Monday, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed El-Baradei asked for more clarity from Iran about its nuclear program since it had not provided requested access to concerned documents and individuals.
World powers have prepared an enhanced package of trade and other incentives for Iran if it suspends nuclear enrichment, something the Islamic Republic has consistently refused to do. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is expected to travel to Tehran soon to submit the package.
The US and its allies accuse Iran of having secret nuclear weapon program, which has been denied by Tehran by saying that its nuclear activities are only for peaceful purposes.
(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2008)
