TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Former president Mohammad Khatami here on Wednesday evening urged the international community not to stand in the way of the Iranian nation and its national interest.

Addressing members of the Iranian Nanotechnology Association, he underlined the need to resolve the nuclear issue without violating the rights of the Iranian nation.

He said that major steps had been taken in the fields of science, technology and economy during the reform period in the country, and expressed the hope the trend would continue.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has always expressed the desire to enter the field of nuclear energy to meet its civilian needs, he said, adding that the religious beliefs and values of the Iranian nation preclude any intention to produce nuclear weapons.

Nuclear energy is one asset the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to have and, from the legal viewpoint, the country has the right to have it, Khatami said, and urged wisdom and caution in the pursuit of this source of energy.

Iran is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and, therefore, it has the legitimate right to pursue nuclear energy, he said.

He expressed the hope the issues in the current standoff with the West would be resolved through negotiation or other peaceful means.