No evidence Tehran wants to develop nuclear weapons: Russia

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There is no evidence that Tehran intends to develop nuclear weapons, reviewing its participation in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Vladimir Ermakov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Department, pointed out in an interview with Sputnik.

Ermakov affirmed that "Iran has been and remains a conscientious participant in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons."

He added explained that "the conclusion of the JCPOA in 2015 helped to finally and irrevocably remove all the questions that the IAEA had for Tehran at that time. After that, for several years Iran remained the most verified state among agency members. No deviations from its obligations were identified."

The Russian diplomat underlined that "there is no evidence that would indicate Tehran's intention to ever reconsider its participation in the NPT and start developing a nuclear explosive device."

Last week, Israeli Channel 13 political commentator Haim Ramon considered that "we must understand that Russia has become the main ally of Iran on all levels, even on the nuclear level."

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stressed that "Iran’s nuclear program has been fully transparent and peaceful." 

It is noteworthy that a couple of weeks ago, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution urging Iran to comply with the probe involving the alleged find of uranium traces at three undeclared sites.

In response, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, slammed the IAEA as "unconstructive", warning it will elicit a strong response from Tehran.

Similarly, Kanaani considered that the resolution has political goals and is an attempt to increase pressure on Iran by the United States and the three European countries.

The Iranian Spokesperson highlighted that the resolution comes despite Iran having a peaceful nuclear program that is the most transparent in the world,

The resolution, which states it is "essential and urgent" for Iran to "act to fulfill its legal obligations" and was brought by the US, the UK, France, and Germany, was voted by 26 countries in favor, two against, five abstained, and two countries were absent.

The two countries who voted against the resolution are China and Russia.