“There are more than 23,000 nuclear weapons in the world and we all should help to dismantle nuclear weapons and build a world free of such destructive arms,” Akhoundzadeh said during a plenary session of a review conference on the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in Vienna on Wednesday.
He added that Iran is an “active and committed” signatory to the NPT and noted that Tehran has always participated in all meetings on the NPT review, particularly since 1995.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Akhoundzadeh expressed optimism about the upcoming talks between Iran and the six major world powers (P5+1) in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad this month.
“Iran is optimistic about the upcoming talks with P5+1 on the nuclear energy program but will never give up its right to use nuclear energy for peaceful objectives,” he said.
He reiterated that the Iranian nation would never abandon its absolute right to use peaceful nuclear energy.
Iran and the P5+1 - Russia, China, Britain, France, the US and Germany -- wrapped up the first round of their negotiations on April 14 in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Both sides hailed the talks as successful and constructive.
The next round of the talks will be held in Baghdad on May 23.
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