“Iran does not seek to acquire nuclear weapons and [raising] such allegations against Iran is dangerous,” Zarif told the 60th Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs dubbed “Dialogue, Disarmament, and Regional and Global Security,” in Istanbul on Friday.

“Iran has never used weapons of mass destruction. The use of nuclear and mass destruction weapons is devoid of legitimacy even for legitimate defense. Islamic teachings also order us not to use weapons of mass destruction,” the minister said.

Zarif also reiterated Iran’s call for the elimination of nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction on the global scale.

“The world must be cleared of WMD and nuclear weapons because it is a necessity for the world security. Our objective must be prohibition of nuclear and mass destruction weapons,” he added.

The Iranian foreign minister arrived in Istanbul after he wrapped up an official visit to South Africa.

NJF/NJF