Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 24 / Trend T.Jafarov /
Iranian Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Deputy Chairman Ismail Kovsari expressed his attitude toward a recent statement made by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton this week, saying that such comments will only serve to further complicate the situation.
"Iran carries out peaceful nuclear activities and has never been and will not advocate its implementation in a military direction," he said. "Ashton's statement is of no value, and does nothing but complicate discussions."
International media reported that Ashton said the talks between Iran and "Six," or 5+1 group, which includes the U.N. Security Council's five permanent members of the UK, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany, will focus on the military direction of Iran's nuclear programs. The talks will be held in an open format, she said. Ashton added that the discussions are scheduled for Dec. 5 in Geneva.
Kovsari added that Western officials voice such statements as a means of applying psychological warfare.
"Western officials make such statements to hold psychological warfare against Iran, and they demonstrate a lack of interest in holding substantive discussions," Kovsari said.
He also expressed suspicions about Ashton's role in resolving existing global problems.
"I do not believe in Ashton's efforts to solve existing problems," he said. "Because if she were really making such attempts, then she would have tried to destroy about 250 nuclear warheads that belong to the Zionist regime and tens of thousands of nuclear warheads that belong to the United States."
Last week, the 5+1 group, which is represented by Ashton in its talks with Iran, agreed to hold negotiations on Dec. 5 in Geneva. However, Iran wants to conduct negotiations in Turkey.
The United States and other Western countries accuse Iran of developing nuclear weapons for military purposes under the guise of a peaceful nuclear energy program. Tehran denies the charges, claiming that its nuclear program is aimed solely at meeting its electricity needs.
The U.N. Security Council adopted six resolutions in connection with the suspension of Iran's nuclear program. Four involve the use of economic sanctions against Iran.
The U.N. Security Council adopted the last resolution against Iran on June 9. The resolution provides for making new sanctions against Tehran in connection with its refusal to cease uranium enrichment. This is the fourth resolution adopted by the council due to Tehran's unwillingness to comply with international requirements regarding its nuclear program.