Iranian Government: Iran's Nuclear Facilities Have Only Peaceful Purposes

Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi states that Iran will not abandon its uranium enrichment program, asserting that it is solely for non-military purposes. Kharrazi made these comments on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York during a discussion about the country's nuclear program. His remarks come as Iranian officials have announced that, in light of a deadline set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for Iran to sign the Additional Protocol, they will reduce the level of their cooperation with the agency. Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's representative to the IAEA, claims that Iran has cooperated more than required by the IAEA to demonstrate the transparency of its programs. However, now, at the directive of President Mohammad Khatami, Tehran will limit its cooperation with the IAEA to the extent mandated. The U.S. government has accused Iran of secretly seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but the Islamic Republic of Iran insists that its nuclear facilities are for peaceful purposes only.