Iran 'not unhappy' over India backing UNSC resolution on Syria

Maintaining that it was "not unhappy" over India supporting the United Nations Security Council resolution on Syria, Iran today asked New Delhi to give more attention to "realities" of the present and support other democracies in the world.

Iranian Ambassador to India Seyed Mahdi Nabizadeh also said the country was with India on the reforms in United Nations Security Council so that it represents people and not governments.

He also discounted the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, but said his country was prepared to "defend" itself in case of that eventuality.

"We are not unhappy. But India should give more attention to realities of the present. They should go by their own experience. We expect that India should help other democracies of the world (during their troubled times)," he told a press conference here.

The ambassador was responding to questions about India supporting the UNSC resolution on Syria and as to what was Iran's reaction to its stand.

He asserted that Iran has always worked within IAEA norms and framework on peaceful uses of nuclear energy and said they had allowed IAEA inspectors to check the installations for over 4,000 hours.

On the possibility of an Israeli strike, he said, "We think the possibility of attack is weak. Today is not the day when people go to war. But we are ready to defend ourselves. We have experience in defending ourselves. We hope that eventuality will not take place."

Asked whether the US approach on this issue would change after the Presidential elections later this year, the ambassador said the US had a "constant approach" towards Iran, which had always felt that the country should be run independently.

On accusations that Iran was into making of atomic bombs, the envoy said the country had always worked within the framework of the IAEA and that it stands for nuclear non-proliferation in the world.

"We allowed IAEA inspectors. It has not happened in any other country. We have done it. We have always worked within the framework of the IAEA," he said.

Referring to US 'invasion' in Iraq, he said Washington suspected that Iraq was possessing nuclear weapons and attacked that country but did not find anything there.

"What did they find in Iraq. They invaded Afghanistan. Who created Taliban? Who gave power to Taliban? These questions have to be answered. In the name of war, innocent people are killed," he said.

"Who will punish the US for its crimes. Who will condemn them?" Nabizadeh asked and accused the US of trying to "destabilise" the region.

On the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the ambassador said people have participated in the development of the country and considerable progress has been achieved.

"We have been able to convert sanctions into opportunities. We are committed to international obligations...We will not surender our rights," he said.