G5+1 must recognize Iran's right to nuclear energy - advisor

A senior Advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Ali AKbar Velayati said the Group 5+1 (five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) must recognize Iran's "inalienable right" to peaceful nuclear technology, IRNA reported.

Velayati made the remarks during a visit to the northeastern holy city of Mashhad.

'Given that the Islamic Republic has always proven its goodwill in nuclear talks and its commitment to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Group 5+1 countries should also recognize Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy," Velayati added.

Advisor noted that Iran's nuclear rights should be recognized also because the Islamic Republic is a committed signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iran and Group 5+1 (Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States plus Germany) held three sessions of talks in Baghdad on May 23 and 24 after an earlier round of negotiations in the Turkish city of Istanbul in mid-April.

The two sides have also agreed to hold another round of talks in Moscow on June 18-19.


Edited by: S. Isayev