Pranab defends Iran's right to nuclear pursuance

Bangkok, Sep 14 (UNI) Iran has the right to pursue nuclear energy development programme, but it must respect international obligations at the same time, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here today.

The minister was responding to a question after his speech on India's Look East Policy at the Chulalongkorn University here about the implications of a likely US attack on Iran.

"We do firmly believe that Iran has every right to pursue its own (nuclear) programmes, but as a member of the international regime, it has international obligations," the minister said.

The negotiations between Iran and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "should be allowed to take their logical course", he added.

New Delhi was against any attempt to trigger "another flashpoint in our immediate neighbourhood", he said.

"I do hope good sense will prevail", he added.

Pointing out that Indian parliament had passed a resolution which protest the military intervention in Iraq by the US-led alliance, he said any further spread of conflict in that region would directly affect India's political and economic security.

UNI