QOM (IRNA) -- Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaii said here on Saturday that Western countries are deeply concerned about a powerful and nuclear Iran in the Middle East.

Rezaii made the remark while addressing the closing ceremony of a national congress dubbed ‘The Youth and Nuclear Issue’.

The United States knows an advanced and developed Iran will be the big power of the region in the future. Therefore, it strives to prevent such an event.

He added, "Iran is a state neighboring 15 Islamic countries. Its power and progress will increase its influence on neighboring states.

"If the U.S. intends to topple the Islamic Republic of Iran, why does it call for holding negotiations with Tehran?"

The EC secretary said, "Now that the Iranian officials have opened doors of nuclear sites to inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), why the U.S. and Europe are insisting on closing Iran's technical facilities?"

He stressed, "Today, the world sees Iran as a regional and influential power because Iran's mottos have scientific and logical base.

"Enemies think that a strong and advanced Iran in the Persian Gulf, as a powerful block, might complicate all equations.

Rezaii further stated, "If we quit our nuclear rights now, it means ignoring an honorable future.

"Today, enemies have come to the scene through different methods including igniting domestic turmoil, terror and sectarian differences but it is the Iranian nation that will say the last word."

He urged government organizations to outlines nuclear issues for the nation to neutralize the enemies' plots.

Pointing to awareness of the Iranian nation to defend its national interests, he said the youth should make efforts to reinforce their unity.

"All proposals presented by the West to Iran have ignored the demands and main goals of the Iranian nation," he said.