(IRNA) - Iran's ambassador to Russia said the proliferation of atomic weapons in the world was a tragedy, and reiterated Iran's stance that nuclear and weapons of mass destruction have no place in the country's defensive strategy, reports Trend.
In a live Internet Q-and-A session with the Russian people, Gholam-Reza Ansari said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the internationally recognized body for setting nuclear and similar issues and world countries should help it discharge its function.
He said the practice of certain countries of imposing double standards on issues pertaining to the nuclear programs of other states was "dangerous."
Ansari said that Iran's insistence on its right to pursue a peaceful nuclear program is an affirmation of the IAEA's authority, and added that other countries have the same right and opportunity to fulfill similar obligations.
In a reply to a question concerning the level of ties between Iran-Russia, Ansari said that the two states' mutual cooperation is not limited to nuclear energy but extends to a whole range of commercial exchanges amounting to USD 2 billion, 70-80 percent of which is non-nuclear in character.
He also answered a question relating to Iran's tourism potential.