Hassan Rohani

Iranian President Hassan Rohani says international peace and security depends upon nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

At the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Friday September 13, Rohani stressed that Iran is committed to its “legal obligations, religious and moral principles and strategic consideration of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

Iran’s Central News Unit reports that Rohani also stressed that he “insists on the undeniable right of all NPT members to enjoy peaceful nuclear technology.”

He added that “international sanctions against Iran are illegal” and he called for “the language of respect and understanding.”

The Iranian president maintained that with mutual confidence building, the nuclear disputes can be resolved in a short time.

On the subject of Syria, Rohani spoke in favour of a dialogue between the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition without any foreign military intervention.

He also added that “arming extremist groups” and their “access to chemical weapons” is the “greatest threat to regional peace and security.”

He echoed support for the Russian proposal to have a third party take control of Syria’s chemical weapons.

The 13th gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan today, September 13, with an eye to promoting coordinated responses from the member states in reaction to important international and regional issues.

The SCO was established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Since then Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan have become observing members.