The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has highlighted the endogenous capacity of nuclear science in the country, saying the West has failed to deprive the nation of the technology.
Speaking during Friday prayers in Tehran, Mohammad Eslami said the Western countries want to hold a monopoly in nuclear technology and thus they do not tolerate the development of Iran's nuclear program.
"The key point is that we have surpassed the redlines that certain powers had arbitrarily and unlawfully imposed on this region," he noted.
"Today, nuclear science and technology are not merely a scientific capability; they have evolved into a national and intrinsic asset, deeply rooted in the minds and determination of the people of this land, continuously growing and advancing," Eslami added.
Western states, he added, "do not accept or tolerate the presence of a nation like the Islamic Republic of Iran, independent and on par with them on the global stage."
"All their (the Western states') measures and efforts to stop Iran have failed by God's grace. They have not been able to achieve any results from acts of sabotage and opposition, and they will never be able to do so," he said.
Referring to Iran's nuclear products, the official said that more than 30 countries are seeking these products.
Eslami said while the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is tasked with supporting, encouraging, and facilitating the use of peaceful nuclear technology across the world, the US is not allowing the UN atomic watchdog to fulfill its inherent duty towards Iran.
Iran has been subject to the most IAEA inspections from its nuclear facilities, he noted.
"Despite all disruptions [the Western powers create] and pressure they put on Iran, they still claim that Iran has not accepted monitoring and is concealing its nuclear activities."
Eslami also pointed out that in recent years, whenever Iran moved closer to signing contracts with foreign countries to build nuclear power plants, the West forced companies to withdraw from the deals.
"To spite our adversaries, we will construct fully Iranian [nuclear] power plants running on Iranian fuel," he added.
Over the past years, Iran has recorded many achievements in its peaceful nuclear energy program in defiance of US sanctions as well as hurdles created by the West.
As one of the first signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran has also been closely cooperating with the IAEA.
The agency's head, Rafael Grossi, is expected to visit Tehran later this month.
Press TV’s website
