Iranian President Calls for Open Nuclear Debate

{{President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday he wanted Iran to do a better job of explaining its nuclear program to prevent “evil-minded” people misleading world opinion, two days before Tehran resumes talks with world powers on its disputed atomic activity.}}

Iran and the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia will reconvene in Vienna to try to iron out differences over how to end a long standoff over suspicions that Tehran has sought the means to develop nuclear weapons.

Western powers have long demanded greater openness from Iran to address those concerns and head off the risk of a downward spiral towards a new Middle East war, with Israel threatening to attack its arch-foe if diplomacy does not rein it in.

“What we can offer the world is greater transparency,” Rouhani, a relative moderate who replaced a conservative hardliner who antagonized the West – said in a speech at a ceremony celebrating Iran’s scientific achievements.

In his remarks, Rouhani reiterated that Iran was not seeking nuclear weapons and would never halt its atomic program, which was for peaceful purposes.

He also repeated a denial of Western charges that Iran has carried out any secret nuclear bomb work.

But along with achieving scientific progress, Rouhani added, Iran ought to develop its abilities in the legal, political and information realms to prevent “the enemy” making problems for its nuclear developments.

“If one engages in a technological endeavor but is not doing good legal and political work, then the enemy might come up with a fictional excuse to cause trouble for you,” he said.

The Islamic Republic’s leaders normally use the term “the enemy” to refer to the United States and Israel.

{{reuters}}