Mikhail Uliyanov, director of the ministry’s Department of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, gave the upbeat assessment to the third and final preparatory conference for next year’s review of the landmark 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), a pact aimed at stopping the spread of nuclear weapons. 

A new round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program is scheduled to be held in New York next week on the sidelines of the NPT preparatory conference. 

Iran is hoping the talks with the P5+1 (US, Russia, Britain, France and China plus Germany) will result in relief from the sanctions. 
  
Uliyanov said an action plan agreed to by both sides on Nov. 24 “is being implemented consistently.” 
  
“We are confident that the constructive cooperation of Iran with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as well as with the (six powers) gives grounds to hope for a successful outcome of the talks on a comprehensive solution to Iran’s nuclear issue before the deadline of July 20,” he said.

Uliyanov also said Tuesday that Russia’s strategic nuclear arsenals have decreased by more than 80 percent and its non-strategic arsenals by 75 percent over the last 25 years. 
  
The action plan agreed to on Nov. 24 commits Tehran to curb its nuclear programs in exchange for initial sanctions relief over six months as the two sides work toward a permanent agreement.

Iran has repeatedly announced that it is after nuclear technology only for peaceful purposes and ruled out Westerners’ allegation on acquiring the technology for making atomic bomb. Iranian Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has banned atomic bomb as a Haram (forbidden) instrument.

NTJ/NJF