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The Guardian
Tehran announces conference will start just days after US-hosted summit on nuclear security
Iran said today it will host a nuclear disarmament conference later this month, part of Tehran's efforts to show it is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, was quoted by state television as saying the two-day meeting dubbed Nuclear Energy For All, Nuclear Weapons For No One will start in Tehran on 17 April, days after a US-hosted summit on nuclear security.
"Iran, as a country supporting global disarmament, invites the world to disarm and prevent proliferation," Jalili said.
Jalili also said that China, which has resisted US-led efforts to impose new UN sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme, would attend.
A duty officer at the Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing had received an invitation, but no decision had been made on whether to attend. The Chinese president, Hu Jintao, will attend the US conference in Washington.
It was not immediately clear which countries would attend the meeting in Tehran, but Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, said today the Iranian initiative had "been widely welcomed by all countries."
The US and some of its allies accuse Iran of using its civilian project as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the charges, saying it is interested in generating electricity, not a bomb.
President Obama said on Thursday that six world powers would develop a package of serious new punitive measures in the coming weeks. China has not confirmed US reports that it has dropped opposition to new sanctions. China has a veto in the UN security council and its support would be key to passing a resolution against Iran.
Jalili was in China this week in the hopes of winning assurances from Beijing that it will oppose sanctions against Iran.
China depends on oil and gas rich Iran for 11% of its energy needs and last year became Tehran's biggest trading partner, according to Iranian figures.
Although it traditionally opposes sanctions, China went along with three earlier sanctions resolutions against Iran. It has been a vocal opponent of a fourth round, insisting on further negotiations.
Tehran announces conference will start just days after US-hosted summit on nuclear security
Iran said today it will host a nuclear disarmament conference later this month, part of Tehran's efforts to show it is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, was quoted by state television as saying the two-day meeting dubbed Nuclear Energy For All, Nuclear Weapons For No One will start in Tehran on 17 April, days after a US-hosted summit on nuclear security.
"Iran, as a country supporting global disarmament, invites the world to disarm and prevent proliferation," Jalili said.
Jalili also said that China, which has resisted US-led efforts to impose new UN sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme, would attend.
A duty officer at the Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing had received an invitation, but no decision had been made on whether to attend. The Chinese president, Hu Jintao, will attend the US conference in Washington.
It was not immediately clear which countries would attend the meeting in Tehran, but Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, said today the Iranian initiative had "been widely welcomed by all countries."
The US and some of its allies accuse Iran of using its civilian project as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the charges, saying it is interested in generating electricity, not a bomb.
President Obama said on Thursday that six world powers would develop a package of serious new punitive measures in the coming weeks. China has not confirmed US reports that it has dropped opposition to new sanctions. China has a veto in the UN security council and its support would be key to passing a resolution against Iran.
Jalili was in China this week in the hopes of winning assurances from Beijing that it will oppose sanctions against Iran.
China depends on oil and gas rich Iran for 11% of its energy needs and last year became Tehran's biggest trading partner, according to Iranian figures.
Although it traditionally opposes sanctions, China went along with three earlier sanctions resolutions against Iran. It has been a vocal opponent of a fourth round, insisting on further negotiations.
for the Iranian diplomacy.
