German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has underlined Iran's right to develop its nuclear energy program as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). According to a commentary by the top German diplomat in the Sunday paper Bild am Sonntag, Westerwelle stressed on "Iran's right to have nuclear energy for civilian use," IRNA reported. He also made reference to his country's ongoing efforts for a diplomatic solution to the Western dispute over Iran's nuclear issue. The German foreign minister also called for the creation of a Middle East free from nuclear arms. The United States, Israel and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear program. Washington and Tel Aviv have time and again threatened Tehran with the "option" of a military strike against its civilian nuclear facilities. Iran argues that as a signatory to the NPT and a member of the IAEA, it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities, but has never found any evidence indicating that Tehran's civilian nuclear program has been diverted to nuclear weapons production.
