Iran Renews Call for Nuke-Free Mideast, US Pressuring Iran for Israel Recognition

Iran renews call for nuke-free Mideast

Press TV, Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:12:49 GMT

Iranian Ambassador to Japan Abbas Araqchi has reiterated the Islamic Republic's support for the emergence of a nuclear-free Middle East.

Addressing the 22nd UN Conference on Disarmament Issues in the Japanese city of Saitama on Friday, the Iranian diplomat highlighted Iran's readiness to cooperate for its realization, IRNA reported.

"The idea of a nuclear-free Middle East was primarily put forth by Iran in 1974; there have been numerous international resolutions in support of the initiative since then," Araqchi said.

The Iranian envoy made a reference to Israel which is widely assumed to harbor nuclear weapons.

"The Zionist regime is oblivious of the global demands for its disarmament and has shown a harsh reaction to such requirements," Araqchi said.

"It is the only obstacle in the way of a nuclear-free Middle East," he added.

Araqchi further pointed out that the UN needed to take appropriate measures against Israel and any other countries that refuse to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

He made the comments on the closing day of the three-day conference before the approximately 60 participants who had attended.

The public conference was meant to raise awareness and support for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

It also assessed the outcome of the 2010 Review Conference of the Treaty on the NPT and addressed ways to make progress in achieving nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

GHN/JG/MGH

'US pressuring Iran for Israel recognition'

Press TV, Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:09:31 GMT

Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement says US efforts to rally international pressure against Iran are aimed at maintaining the interests of the Israeli regime.

"The mounting US and Western pressure on Iran is not solely over [the country's] peaceful nuclear activities," IRNA quoted Senior Hezbollah official Sheikh Mohammed Yazbek as saying on Friday.

"The main reason [behind US and Westerns pressure] is to force Iran to get along with Israel and recognize this fabricated, illegitimate regime," he noted, referring to US-brokered UN Security Council sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

The cleric, however, downplayed the influence of "the political and economic pressure by the global arrogance and the West" on Iran, and underscored that such measures would not propel Tehran into making concessions regarding recognition of Israel.

"Under no circumstances will Iran recognize the Zionist regime (Israel)," he said.

Addressing US President Barack Obama, Sheikh Yazbek said, "Neither you, nor your predecessors have been able to undermine the grandeur, magnanimity and independence of the Islamic Republic."

The Hezbollah official said the Israeli regime would not be able to continue its existence in the Middle East with peace, reminding that thousands of displaced Palestinians are looking forward to returning to their occupied motherland.

He also denounced the international community's inaction toward the plight of the Palestinian nation -- especially in the Gaza Strip -- saying sympathy alone would not do any good to those who remain under Israeli occupation.

MRS/MMN

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