Iran will not relinquish its nuclear rights: Salehi

Iran has said it will not relinquish its legitimate rights outlined in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, who began a tour of the European countries of Slovenia and Austria, made the remarks during a joint press conference with Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar in the capital city of Ljubljana yesterday.

Iran is committed to its obligations as stipulated by the NPT, but it will not give up its rights, Salehi stated.

Numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities have been carried out, Salehi said, adding that Iran is working in full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Salehi added Iran first proposed that an international convention on nuclear disarmament should be adopted.

He went on to say that Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has issued a fatwa declaring that the production, stockpiling, and use of nuclear weapons are all haram (prohibited in Islam).

Commenting on the continuation of talks between Iran and the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia.

China, and Germany), the Iranian foreign minister said that the Islamic Republic has always announced its readiness for talks.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Salehi spoke about relations between Iran and Slovenia, saying the two countries enjoy great potential to further increase their relations in various spheres.

He also described Slovenia as a great country in the international arena.
 Slovenia calls for Iran-EU negotiations Zbogar said, "We believe in (the need to hold) negotiations between Iran and the European Union, and we call for the revival of talks (between Tehran and the EU)." He also envisioned a bright future for Iran-EU relations.