Madam, - Tom Clonan (March 15th) writes abut the willingness of the US and Israel to attack Iran over the nuclear row. With due respect to Mr Clonan, the following needs to be mentioned:
Iran's peaceful nuclear activities and facilities are in complete conformity with NPT's internationally accepted principles. This is a fact repeatedly endorsed by the IAEA. Over 1,000 days of inspection, the IAEA has not been able to substantiate the claims against Iran.
Despite the fact that Iran's nuclear activities are in line with NPT's regulations, it has always expressed its readiness to eliminate any ambiguity and agree on guarantees to ensure the world that its nuclear programme has only civilian objectives. This process, which should be based on dialogue (rather than the threat or force), is, fortunately, very compatible with the European attitudes and paradigms.
Rationally, any judgment or conclusion in this regard should be made on basis of the facts and results of the fact-finding missions of the official international authorities, on not claims or the political intentions of certain countries. Politicising Iran's nuclear programme is the worst danger that jeopardizes the credibility of the international authorities. Defending the law and order that govern international relations require this programme to be kept out of political games. It is a heavy responsibility on the shoulders of every intellectual in the international community.
Time and again we strongly state that making nuclear weapons due to humanitarian, religious, even political reasons is not in Iran's security defence agenda. We absolutely believe in the need for democracy, peace and durable justice in the Middle East and proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction in this crisis-stricken region contradicts that belief.
Having said this, it should be underlined that defence is the legitimate right of any country when attacked. We have always supported peaceful solutions; however, any aggression will be responded to and unfortunately the result would be nothing except destruction and loss. - Yours, etc.,
SOUDABEH BAHREINI, Cultural and Press Officer, Iran Embassy, Dublin.