Some Western countries have long abused international organizations and multilateral mechanisms to advance their own political goals, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday in response to the latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The IAEA said in its quarterly report on Saturday that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 percent had reached an estimated 408.6 kilograms as of May 17, a sharp increase from the 274.8 kilograms in February.
When asked to comment on the report at a weekly press briefing, spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei slammed the report as being repetitive and exaggerated.
"Some Western countries have long abused international organizations and multilateral mechanisms such as the IAEA to advance their own political goals. The content of the report issued by the IAEA is mostly repetitive, and some technical matters have been exaggerated. We have no doubt that this report was prepared under the influence and pressure from specific countries," Baghaei said.
Responding to longstanding allegations that Iran seeks to develop nuclear weapons, Baghaei argued that such claims are baseless and have been used politically by Israel to influence U.S. foreign policy.
"If you review the reports on Iran's nuclear issue, you will see that since 1984, Israeli officials have claimed that Iran would obtain a nuclear bomb within six months. It's been 40 years. Israel has been using allegations that Iran's peaceful nuclear program has reached weapons-grade as an excuse to manipulate U.S. foreign policy in the region," Baghaei said.
Iran accuses certain Western countries of abusing int'l organizations, mechanisms to advance political goals
Iran accuses certain Western countries of abusing int'l organizations, mechanisms to advance political goals
China and Thailand on Friday agreed to strengthen strategic alignment and enhance cooperation in various fields in a meeting between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Noting the current turbulent international situation, Anutin said Thailand firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to work with China to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries.
Thailand is ready to work with China to resolutely combat online gambling and telecommunications fraud to further make the friendship between Thailand and China rooted in people's hearts, he said.
Anutin extended his gratitude for China's unremitting efforts in helping properly resolve the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, adding that he looks forward to China continuing to play a constructive role.
Noting China is a reliable and dependable strategic cooperative partner of Thailand, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the saying "China and Thailand are one family" has a solid public opinion and social foundation and is showing even broader prospects.
Wang said that, facing a volatile international situation, China is willing to deepen mutual respect, trust and support with Thailand, and carry forward traditional friendship.
China stands ready to expand cooperation with Thailand in new energy, infrastructure, agriculture and other fields, promote the building of a more stable, prosperous and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future, and continuously make new contributions to regional stability and development, Wang said.
He expressed the hope that Thailand will intensify its efforts to crack down on online gambling and telecommunications fraud, creating a favorable environment for bilateral relations.
As a common friend of Thailand and Cambodia, China is willing to continue to build a platform for the two sides to engage in dialogue, rebuild mutual trust and improve relations, according to Wang.
China, Thailand agree to strengthen strategic alignment, enhance cooperation
China, Thailand agree to strengthen strategic alignment, enhance cooperation
China, Thailand agree to strengthen strategic alignment, enhance cooperation
