Iran ready to sell nuke tech to Arab States
Foreign Desk Report

TEHRAN (Iran)—Iran’s president said Saturday his country was ready to transfer nuclear technology to neighboring countries, Kuwaiti television reported, a week after Arab states on the Persian Gulf announced plans to consider a joint nuclear program.
The television said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a top Kuwaiti envoy he welcomed the decision by the Islamic republic’s Arab neighbors to pursue peaceful nuclear technology.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to transfer to regional states its valuable experience and achievements in the field of peaceful nuclear technology as a clean energy source and as a replacement for oil,” the state quoted Ahmadinejad as telling Mohammed Zefollah Shirar, a top adviser to Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Such a technological transfer would be legal as long as it is between signatory states to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and as long as the International Atomic Energy Agency that monitors the treaty was informed of the transfer.
Iran is at odds with the United States and its European allies, who accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed solely at the peaceful production of nuclear energy. Edgar Vasquez, a State Department spokesman, told the AP on Saturday that Iran’s continued defiance of international nuclear safeguards represents “a serious threat” to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
“We expect Iran to comply with international obligations under the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) and its safeguards agreement with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency),” Vasquez said.
“Iran’s non-compliance up to this point is a serious threat — which we continue to work with our international partners and the international community in the U.N. Security Council to remedy,” he said.
Iran said on Saturday turnout was high in elections for local councils and a powerful clerical body, with some initial reports suggesting allies of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad might not have won resounding backing.
But analysts said it was too early to see a clear trend in Friday’s vote, the first popularity test for Ahmadinejad since he took office last year. Any sign of softer support for Ahmadinejad would encourage Western governments alarmed by his anti-Israel statements and fears Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies.
Most official results for the twin polls for councilors and members of the Assembly of Experts are not expected until later on Saturday at the earliest, officials said.
Unofficial and partial results suggested voters backed a range of candidates, giving all political groups something to cheer but allowing none to claim outright victory. “At first glance, it’s not all good news for Ahmadinejad,” said an Iranian political analyst, who asked not to be named. But he said some vote counts might not be representative at this early stage. Another analyst was similarly cautious.
The Iranian news agency quoted officials citing turnout of around 60 percent of the 46.5 million eligible voters, higher than previous council and assembly votes. Iran’s press said the turnout was a blow to Iran’s “enemies.” The Interior Ministry announced winners in several constituencies for the 86-member Assembly of Experts, which appointed, supervises and can even unseat Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s highest authority.