TEHRAN The Iranian Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani delineated the well-spread propaganda of the Zionist media on the defense activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran as being synonymous to a hasty move, aimed to divert the world public opinion from the unconventional nuclear activities of the Zionist regime. Speaking to IRNA, Shamkhani stressed that the positive and active role of the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the establishment of stability, tranquility, and security within the region and the world can not be obscured by the Zionist propaganda.

While elaborating the expansionist policies of the Zionist regime, proving as fatal threats to the regional security, Admiral Shamkhani commented that the unconventional nuclear programs of the said regime, which take place in the absence of international official organizations' supervision have turned the Middle East into an ammunition warehouse. Commenting on the role of the U.S. administration in the aversion of the Zionist regime's condemnation during the Second Preparatory Committee for a conference on the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Shamkhani stated that while all the countries and international organizations have expressed their concern on the nuclear programs of the Zionist regime, Washington deems the creation of the free nuclear-zone within the Middle East as unnecessary.

He further unveiled that the spendings on the illicit and expansionist goals of the Zionist regime are procured from the American tax payers. He remarked that with the so-called Middle East peace process turning a failure, and the non-commitment of the Zionists to their previous pledges, the Zionist propaganda is pursuing a change of news focus from the occupied lands to the Persian Gulf, with the dissemination of baseless reports on the military competence of the Islamic Iran, as a ruthless means toward the former's fulfillment.

The Iranian delegation to the Second Preparatory Committee for a conference on NPT in Geneva said Israeli nuclear weapon programs have put the Middle East in jeopardy. The preparatory committee was drafting a document on Non-Proliferation Treaty for a conference slated for the year 2000. The Iranian delegation said to the committee that making the Middle East free from the nuclear weapons and taking necessary measures to this end should be mentioned in the document to be drafted by the committee.

Representatives of Arab states and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states, Canada and some European states supported the Iranian proposal, but two-week discussion since April 27 has borne no fruit. The U.S. delegate to the committee said he would object to any mention by the final document of the meeting of making the Middle East a region free from nuclear weapons.

The next meeting of the preparatory commitee is scheduled to be held in New York next month.