Iran slams U.S double standard nuclear policy

TEHRAN, Feb. 4 (MNA) – Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili has slammed the U.S. for its double-standard behavior in regard to nuclear issues.

The U.S. has been seeking to impede Iran’s nuclear progress while it has close nuclear cooperation with countries which openly declare they are producing atomic weapons and have not signed the NPT, Jalili said in a meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao in Tehran on Wednesday.

Though India has refused to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty the United States has signed an agreement with the country to build nuclear power plants in the country.

Jalili went on to say that the U.S. which has actually used nuclear weapons against people and is now testing a new generation of nuclear weapons has no right to say that it is “concerned” about other nations’ peaceful nuclear activities.

Jalili also blamed some extra-regional powers, especially Britain, for insecurity and instability in Afghanistan.

Iran has always backed a “humanitarian” and “collective” approach in resolving regional crises, he noted.

Nirupama Rao also pointed out that Iran plays a crucial role in the region and called for expansion of ties with Tehran.

It is Ms. Rao’s first visit to Iran since she took over as foreign secretary.