Nuke energy Iran`s `future and destiny`: Khamenei
Tehran: Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday described Iran’s nuclear programme as its “future and destiny”, lashing out at critics who have said the drive could come at too great a cost.
“Nuclear energy is the future and destiny of the country,” state television quoted Khamenei as saying in a speech in Tehran.
The television said Khamenei “criticised some who, with superficial and narrow-minded views, say that nuclear energy is not necessary for the country at this cost.”
His intervention comes as pressure mounts from western countries for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment, a process that can be used both to make the fuel for nuclear power stations and the core of an atomic weapon.
The United States accuses Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, a charge denied by Tehran which insists its atomic programme is peaceful in nature and has every right to the full nuclear fuel cycle.
Although Washington has said it wants the nuclear standoff resolved through diplomacy, it has never ruled out military action to thwart Iran’s atomic drive.
Khamenei said that Iran’s huge oil and gas reserves “would not last forever”.
“If a nation does not care about the future of its energy, it must remain dependent on the domineering powers,” he said in a reference to western countries like the United States.
“Some people with their comments exaggerate problems that do not exist in the country. This encourages the enemy. This is wrong,” said Khamenei.
Bureau Report