Iran Calls Upon Regional Arab States To Develop Nuclear Power Plants

Tehran, Iran (AHN) - Iran has proposed to form a consortium of regional Arab states for developing light-water nuclear power plants in the region, the state-official news agency said on Sunday.

The proposal was made by head of Iran Atomic Energy Organization Reza Aqazadeh in his speech at the first International Seminar on 'Nuclear Power Plants, Environment and Sustainable Development', the IRNA report said.

"Iran is ready to provide very soon a comprehensive plan for the proposal if it were approved in generalities by the Persian Gulf littoral states," Aqazadeh was quoted saying by the report on Sunday.

The report said that the representative of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Christer Viktorsson was also present at the twoday seminar in Tehran.

The authorities in Tehran have been insisting on allowing Iran to retain its nuclear rights as it prepares to discuss the issue with the world's major powers.

The United States and its allies including Israel have been looking to resolve the nuclear stand off with Iran by using a diplomatic solution.

However, reports speculate the U.S. or Israel may use military attack to force the Islamic Republic to shut down its nuclear plants, which may be used to build nuclear weapons.

The allegation of building nuclear weapons has been dismissed by Iran. At present, the country is constructing its first civil nuclear power plant with the help of Russia and it is expected to start funtioning next year.

At the seminar, the participants are likely to discuss setting up nuclear power plants as a national strategy, development of nuclear energy and sustainable development and nuclear energy, the report said.