Tunisia: Iran has right to nuclear programme

The Tunisian foreign minister has said Tehran has every right to develop its nuclear energy programme as Iran is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Press TV reported. During a Friday meeting with Iran's newly-appointed Ambassador to Tunis, Peyman Jebeli, Rafik Abdessalem threw Tunisia's weight behind Tehran's nuclear programme, highlighting the Islamic Republic's entitlement to peaceful nuclear technologies. Abdessalem also pointed out the nuclear-armed states are the biggest threat to global peace and security. He praised Iran's culture and civilization, and emphasised the need for the expansion of ties between the two countries in various fields. Jebeli, for his part, congratulated the Tunisian people on the first anniversary of the revolution, which overthrew former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali after 23 years of despotic rule. He also voiced Iran's preparedness to transfer its capabilities and expertise to Tunisia. The United States, Israel and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear programme without offering any evidence corroborating such allegations. Washington and Tel Aviv have time and again threatened Tehran with the "option" of a military strike against its civilian nuclear facilities. Iran argues that as a signatory to the NPT and a member of the IAEA, it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities but has never found any evidence indicating that Tehran's civilian nuclear program has been diverted to nuclear weapons production.