Tehran rejects Sarkozy's accusation of seeking nuclear bomb

Jan 21, 2012, 18:08 GMT

Tehran - Iran insisted Saturday that its nuclear programme was peaceful, rejecting remarks by French President Nicolas Sarkozy that Tehran was pursuing a nuclear bomb, Iranian state television network IRIB reported.

'The nature of Iran's nuclear programmes are peaceful, and all activities are transparent and in constant cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said, referring to the United Nations nuclear watchdog.

On Friday, Sarkozy accused Iran of pursuing a 'senseless race for a nuclear bomb.'

Mehmanparast accused Sarkozy of 'looking for a pretext to put pressure on the Iranian nation.'

'It seems that the French president is following a path which is contrary to peace and stability in the Gulf region and Middle East but this path will not lead anywhere,' Mehmaparast said.

'Iran is, however, not after political quarrels (with France) but serious negotiations,' the spokesman added, referring to Iran's readiness to resume nuclear talks with six world powers - the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.

Mehmanparast said a planned oil embargo by the European Union was a 'totally wrong course' and would not solve the nuclear dispute.

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