Speaking at an empowerment and entrepreneurship festival in Tehran on Saturday, Aref criticized the Israeli regime’s claims regarding Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, saying the regime has shown no commitment to international treaties or rules.
He said Iran had faced pressure from Western and regional powers for decades but had maintained its principles despite attempts to undermine the country through military, social and political means.
According to Aref, after direct confrontation failed to achieve its objectives, adversaries increasingly sought to exploit social divisions during the 1990s and subsequent decades.
He said ethnic, regional and social differences were portrayed as sources of conflict, despite Iran’s ethnic diversity being one of the country’s major strengths.
Aref said such tensions were turned into national security threats with the assistance of groups affiliated with foreign powers, resulting in significant human and social costs. He stressed that conflicts among Iranian citizens represented a loss for the country regardless of the political circumstances surrounding them.
Turning to the nuclear issue, Aref said Iran’s strategy was based on maximizing the use of advanced technologies for the benefit of its people and the wider region.
He argued that the nuclear issue had been raised by the Israeli regime, which itself does not respect international treaties or established global rules.
Aref emphasized that Iran would continue pursuing technological development while defending its national interests and independence.
IRNA