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Khamenei: Iran Not Seeking Nuclear Weapons

   VOA News 19 February 2010
   Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a meeting in Tehran, 09 Jan 2010

Photo: AFP

   Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a meeting in Tehran, 09 Jan 2010

   Iran's  supreme  leader,  Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, insisted Friday that
   Iran is not trying to develop nuclear weapons.
   State-run  TV quoted Ayatollah Khamenei as saying the country does not
   believe in atomic weapons and is not seeking them.
   The  remarks  come  one  day  after  the  U.N. atomic agency expressed
   concern  that Tehran may be working to develop a nuclear payload for a
   missile.
   Ayatollah Khamenei called the claim "nonsensical."
   Russia, France and Germany warned Friday that Iran could face new U.N.
   sanctions.
   Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday Moscow is "alarmed"
   by Iran's failure to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
   Russia is one of Iran's key allies.
   A  spokesman  for  France's  foreign  ministry Bernard Valero said the
   nations must "act with determination" to persuade Iran to cooperate.
   A  spokesman,  Ulrich  Wilhelm,  for  German  Chancellor Angela Merkel
   condemned Iran's continued "defiance".
   Germany,  Russia,  France  and the United States are part of six-party
   talks with Iran on its controversial nuclear program.
   Iran insists its nuclear program is meant for peaceful purposes only.

   Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.

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