Iran dismisses French allegations about its nuclear program

TEHRAN,Feb.19(MNA) – Iran on Monday dismissed recent allegations by French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian about Tehran’s nuclear program, advising French officials to take into account the realities on the ground. According to Middle East Online, the French defense minister told a security conference in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, “The progress of Iran’s (nuclear) program only adds to our concerns.” Le Drian also said that it was the responsibility of countries to ensure that Iran’s suspect nuclear program “fails” in order to guarantee security for all. The sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union “appear to me to be the way to bring Iran to negotiate seriously,” he added. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said, “The false assumption of certain Western countries that Iran has adopted a passive stance due to such forms of pressure will not cause the Iranian nation to relinquish their fundamental rights, and it would be better if the French government adopt a proper approach based on the realities instead of (taking and making) illogical actions and remarks.” Iran’s nuclear program is “transparent”, Mehmanparast said, adding, “The Zionist regime and the Western countries supporting it and those who are active in sending weapons and sowing discord among regional Muslim countries and intensifying the conflicts and the bloodshed are the root cause of insecurity and instability in the region.”