TEHRAN -- There are still approaches that can both guarantee Iran’s nuclear right and prove the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities, Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki said here on Saturday.

“The Islamic Republic will continue conducting its legal nuclear activities and counseling with all parties to find a comprehensive formula to defend our right and allay the concerns of certain countries,” Mottaki said in a joint press conference with his Belarusian counterpart Sergei Martynov.

Tehran’s relations and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency are based on IAEA Statute, Mottaki added.

Iran’s decisions to bar inspectors from the IAEA will not legally harm its relations with the UN nuclear watchdog, he stated.

Iran announced on January 22 that it would not allow 38 inspectors from the IAEA to enter the country.

Martynov stated that Iran, like any other signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has right to use nuclear technology for civilian use. He said the standoff over Iran’s nuclear issue should be resolved through negotiations.

Tehran’s détente policy

Mottaki criticized the illegitimate demands of the hegemonic powers in the Middle East especially the United States, saying, “Such powers have adopted an aggressive policy in the Middle East.”

However, Iran has “adopted a détente policy” to build trust and help resolve the regional problems, he said. Questioned about the new wave of threats by the West against Iran, Mottaki said, “We know very well why the U.S. has adopted such an approach.”

They are in fact looking for a scapegoat to blame in case their new strategy in Iraq fails, he opined.

On January 10, U.S. President George W. Bush announced a new strategy for Iraq, including a 21,500 increase in troop numbers.

“The U.S. will once again receive a clear response from the people in the rallies on February 11 (marking the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979),” he added.

Iran part of solution to Iraq problem

In response to Bush who authorized U.S. forces to capture or kill Iranians in Iraq, the Iranian foreign minister stated, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is always part of the solution to Iraq’s problem, not a part of the problem.”

Iran’s policy in the past four years has been to support the political development and formation of a government in Iraq, he said, adding, “We have always been a pioneer in this regard,” he added.

He also said that the solution to Lebanon’s problem should be sought inside the country.