Iran FM: Election outcome won't change nuke policy

Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says Iran will continue to go forward with nuclear program for peaceful purposes.

By YASSER OKBI
Arak plant, Iran 370 (photo credit: Reuters)
Arak plant, Iran 370
(photo credit: Reuters)
Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Saturday his country's nuclear policy will not change after his country's presidential elections that are scheduled for June 14. Salehi made the comment a few hours after a televised debate among the presidential hopefuls on the subject of the nuclear program.
In statements made to the ISNA news agency the foreign minister said: It may be that there will be different approaches on this matter, but Iran is on a specific policy track with regard to nuclear energy and will continue forwarding its nuclear program for peaceful purposes.
At the debate that took place on Friday, the participants voiced criticism against the policies of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the head of negotiations representing Iran at the Iranian nuclear talks Said Jalili. Jalili is one of the eight candidates in the upcoming elections for president.
"The candidates presented their perspectives on the issue, which will not impact Iran's foreign policy after the elections," Salehi emphasized.   
Click here for full Jpost coverage of the Iranian threat
Click here for full Jpost coverage of the Iranian threat

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that the presidential elections in Iran  will have no impact whatsoever on the country’s continued march toward nuclear weapons, or its arming of Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Netanyahu who was speaking at a special Knesset session to discuss the Arab League peace initiative, said no one should have any “illusions” about the Iranian elections. 
Herb Keinon and Reuters contributed to this report.Translated by Nathan Wise.


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