AP: Iranian state radio Monday blamed North Korea’s reported nuclear test on U.S. pressure, accusing Washington of “humiliating” the impoverished communist country. Associated Press
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI
Associated Press Writer
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iranian state radio Monday blamed North Korea’s reported nuclear test on U.S. pressure, accusing Washington of “humiliating” the impoverished communist country.
“Not only did the United States not lift the sanctions it had imposed on North Korea, it even increased the diplomatic pressure. Such pressure finally led North Korea to conduct its nuclear test,” Iranian state radio said in a commentary.
“North Korea’s nuclear test was a reaction to America’s threats and humiliation,” it said.
Iran has said it will not abandon uranium enrichment despite the threat of international sanctions over its disputed nuclear program, which Tehran insists is purely for peaceful purposes to be used for nuclear energy.
President Bush on Monday said the United States was still attempting to confirm that a nuclear test in North Korea had actually taken place. Still, he said, “such a claim itself constitutes a threat to international peace and security.”
Iranian state radio accused Washington of “double standards” in its policy on nuclear nonproliferation, pointing to its attitude toward Israel and India. India has tested a nuclear bomb and Israel is widely believed to possess such weapons, but the United States is not currently applying sanctions against them.
In an oblique message to the United Nations, which is considering taking steps against Iran’s nuclear program, Iranian state radio said that the Security Council should not punish North Korea but disarm the nuclear arsenals of the great powers.
“Instead of imposing comprehensive sanctions on North Korea … it would be better if the U.N. Security Council adopt a wise decision and seek full implementation of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty,” it said.
“That is to say, it should seek to disarm the countries that currently possess nuclear weapons and provide conditions so that signatories to the treaty will be able to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” it said.
