Iranian FM reiterates Iran's firm opposition to chemical weapons

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif once again underlined that firm opposition to the use of chemical weapons in any parts of the world, specially in Syria, is Tehran's principled policy. Zarif referred to the recent atmosphere concerning military attack against Syria under the alleged pretext of using chemical weapons by the Syrian government, and stressed Iran’s principled policy, as a victim of chemical weapons, on condemnation of using any kind of mass-destruction and chemical weapons by anybody and firm opposition to using force and military option. The Iranian senior diplomat continued that those who imagine that they can settle the problems in the region by using force are wrong. Iran , as a victim of chemical weapons used by the Saddam regime during imposed war which was waged with the support of a number of western countries and the US, strongly condemns any kind of violence and use of chemical weapons. On Saturday, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel claimed that the White House is studying different military options against Syria under the alleged pretext of using chemical weapons. Hagel suggested the Pentagon is moving forces into place ahead of possible military action against Syria, even as President Barack Obama voiced caution. Syrian Deputy Foreign Fayssal Mekdad stressed that the US and its allies had no proof of chemical weapons use by the Syrian government, adding that Damascus has presented the UN team with undeniable proof that militants had used the weapons. In a statement to reporters, Mekdad said that this western policy means that such weapons will be used soon by the same terrorist groups they have supported against the European peoples. He clarified that Syria submitted to the UN investigation mission proof on the use of chemical weapons by the armed terrorist groups in all sites.