Pakistan's Former Diplomat Defends Iran’s Peaceful Nuclear Right

Islamabad, June 23, IRNA – Pakistani former diplomat on Friday supported Iran’s right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful means here Friday. Talking to IRNA, Asif Ezdi said Iran being the signatory of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is entitled to develop their peaceful nuclear program. “There is no justification to question the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program,” he said. Iran and Group 5+1 on Tuesday has wrapped up uranium enrichment talks in Moscow. EU Chief Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton, by referring to Iran and G5+1 decision to continue talks said that the two sides have decided to hold experts meeting in Istanbul on July 3rd. Washington and its western allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, while they have never presented any corroborative evidence to substantiate their allegations. Iran denies the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Tehran stresses that the country has always pursued a civilian path to provide power to the growing number of Iranian population. Asif Ezdi also said that dialogue on Iran’s uranium enrichment must continue as it is the only way to solve issues. The analyst warned that any military conflict in Middle East would destabilize the whole region. “Diplomatic path is the only solution to resolve disputes,” he strongly viewed. He said that Iran is fully cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and there is no evidence available which suggests that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Talking about the double standards observed by the West against Iran, the former diplomat said that nobody should expect a balanced policy from western states. “They are not the international court of justice from where you expect justice,” said the analyst. Asif Ezdi went on to say that western countries take decisions, keeping in view their national interests. “They only take the path of power irrespective of all international laws,” the former diplomat opined. Asif Ezdi is a former Pakistani Ambassador to Germany and a very famous columnist./end