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‘Israel only obstacle to nuclear-free Middle East’ – Iran

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“The stubborn refusal of the Zionist regime [of Israel] to join the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is still the main obstacle in the way of the global implementation of this treaty,” Salehi told a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on Wednesday

“And for the same reason, the concept of creating a nuclear-free region in the Middle East, which was suggested by Iran in 1974, has not yet been realized,” he stated.

Salehi said every effort must be made in order to obligate Israel to create necessary conditions for the realization of a nuclear-free Middle East.

Israel is the only possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East and it has never allowed inspection of its nuclear facilities nor has it joined the NPT, as part of its policy of nuclear ambiguity.

The Iranian foreign minister reiterated Iran’s determination to protect its national interests while highlighting the Islamic Republic’s commitment to its international obligations regarding the non-proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction.

“We are determined to exercise our rights within the framework of these treaties,” he emphasized.

Salehi hailed NAM’s continuous support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear energy program.

The Iranian foreign minister arrived in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm al-Sheikh to attend the NAM meeting on Tuesday night.

The NAM is an international organization comprised of 120 countries that consider themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. The body represents nearly two-thirds of the United Nations member states.

-PressTv

By Editor