02:41Switzerland: Zarif talks Iran nuclear deal, tells Saudis not to 'panic' at WEF
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif spoke of the recently implemented Iran nuclear programme deal at a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, on Wednesday.
Zarif said that "the deal is not a perfect deal. No deal is ever perfect. But it deals with our requirements, that is removal of sanctions and at the same time respecting our right to have our nuclear programme for peaceful purposes, because our nuclear programme was always for peaceful purposes" and expressed Iran's preparedness to "show even greater transparency in order for the International Community to know what we already know, that our programme is nothing but peaceful."
Zarif went on to express incomprehension of the concerns regarding Iran's nuclear programme, claiming "Maybe when 1921, 1929 Security Council Resolution was in effect, somebody could have argued, but today with 2231 in effect, nobody can argue that Iran's defence programme, missile programme violates anything. We are entitled to our defence. We are spending a fraction of our very smaller neighbours spend on defence. So what is all this fuss about?"
Speaking of recent straining of Iranian-Saudi relations, Zarif said "There is no need to panic, our friends. Iran is there to work with you. Iran does not want to exclude anybody from this region. There is no need to engage in a confrontation."
The annual World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos between 20-23 January, gathering high-ranked state leaders, experts and academia from all over the world.
02:41Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif spoke of the recently implemented Iran nuclear programme deal at a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, on Wednesday.
Zarif said that "the deal is not a perfect deal. No deal is ever perfect. But it deals with our requirements, that is removal of sanctions and at the same time respecting our right to have our nuclear programme for peaceful purposes, because our nuclear programme was always for peaceful purposes" and expressed Iran's preparedness to "show even greater transparency in order for the International Community to know what we already know, that our programme is nothing but peaceful."
Zarif went on to express incomprehension of the concerns regarding Iran's nuclear programme, claiming "Maybe when 1921, 1929 Security Council Resolution was in effect, somebody could have argued, but today with 2231 in effect, nobody can argue that Iran's defence programme, missile programme violates anything. We are entitled to our defence. We are spending a fraction of our very smaller neighbours spend on defence. So what is all this fuss about?"
Speaking of recent straining of Iranian-Saudi relations, Zarif said "There is no need to panic, our friends. Iran is there to work with you. Iran does not want to exclude anybody from this region. There is no need to engage in a confrontation."
The annual World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos between 20-23 January, gathering high-ranked state leaders, experts and academia from all over the world.