Top Iranian Official Slams US Pledge To Prevent Nuclear Weapons
Iran’s top security official, Ali Shamkhani, has ridiculed US determination to stop the Islamic Republic developing nuclear weapons.
Iran’s top security official, Ali Shamkhani, has ridiculed US determination to stop the Islamic Republic developing nuclear weapons.
On Thursday, America’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had warned that President Joe Biden will “take the actions that are necessary” to prevent Tehran creating an atomic bomb.
Speaking the next day, Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) secretary Ali Shamkhani said Sullivan’s statements are a “confession” that Washington is responsible for all so-called terrorist acts against the people and nuclear facilities of Iran.
The unsubstantiated claims by Shamkhani come amid mounting international concern over Iran’s nuclear weapons programme.
Sullivan had told Middle East experts at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy: “From my perspective, we are back in a position that we were in before where Iran is enriching, is advancing, and this nuclear program poses a genuine challenge to our fundamental non-proliferation goals.”
Elsewhere in his remarks, he said the US has made clear to Iran that it can never be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon.
“As President Biden has repeatedly reaffirmed, he will take the actions that are necessary to stand by this statement, including by recognizing Israel’s freedom of action.”
In a sign of European concern, Britain, France and Germany also warned Iran on Friday that they would trigger a return of UN sanctions against Tehran if it enriched uranium to the optimal level for a nuclear weapon, three European officials said.
Western officials fear a nuclear-armed Iran could threaten Israel, Gulf Arab oil producers, and spark a regional arms race. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.
