Kambiz Sheikh-Hassani: Iran needs nuclear power for people

Iran's nuclear programme and the vision of having nuclear technology were conceived and initiated by the Shah, with assistance and encouragement from the US and Europeans in the early 1970s.

The aim was to diversify the energy sources of the country and generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity up to 1994.

Since the 1980s, when the Islamic Republic of Iran restarted the programme, the US and the Europeans have been given every opportunity to participate in the development and completion of nuclear reactors in Iran, but always refused to do so.

Since 1979, the Iranian population has more than doubled, from 32 million to nearly 70 million, and is projected to be 105 million in 2050.

Iran's installed electrical capacity is 30,000 megawatts and the country needs additional generation of 2000 megawatts each year, which under the best possible circumstances, including the immediate lifting of US sanctions and a flow of vast investment capital into Iran, cannot be produced by oil and gas alone.

Iran's oil production is only 70 per cent of the pre-Revolution level and consumption has increased 8 per cent annually.

Currently Iran imports US$4 billion ($5.8 billion) of petrol each year from neighbouring countries because of increased domestic consumption. If this trend continues, Iran could become a net oil importer by 2010, a catastrophe for a country which relies on oil for 80 per cent of its foreign currency and 45 per cent of its annual budget.

Oil and gas are non-renewable assets and cannot be depleted recklessly, but this will happen if Iran's sources for energy are not diversified.

A study shows 57 of the 60 Iranian oil fields need major repairs, upgrading, and re-pressurising which would require, over a 15-year period, investment of at least US$40 billion ($58 billion).

Iran has significant uranium deposits that can be used for generating electricity. Its known uranium ore reserves can produce as much electricity as could 45 billion barrels of oil.

Since 1980, carbon emissions in Iran have risen by 240 per cent, contributing to air pollution which is blamed for causing 17,000 deaths every year in Tehran alone. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2005 reiterated that the safest way to combat carbon emission is the expansion of the share of nuclear energy generation globally.

According to the IAEA, 22 of the last 31 nuclear power plants completed were built in Asia, and of the new plants being built, 18 out of 27 are also in Asia, all driven by pressures of economic growth, natural resource scarcity and increasing populations. These are the same pressures faced by Iran.

Iran is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Article four of the treaty recognises the "inalienable right" of member states to have access to nuclear technology and develop and use nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment, so long as it is intended for peaceful purposes.

Iran is fully aware of concerns over its nuclear programme, takes questions about it seriously, and does its best to clarify to the IAEA aspects of its peaceful programme in accordance with the relevant safeguard agreements.

In so doing the following steps have been taken:

* Additional protocol to the treaty was signed in December 2003 and implemented, before its ratification by Iranian parliament.

* IAEA inspectors have had thousands of hours of access to all Iranian facilities.

* Iran voluntarily suspended tests and production of the uranium conversion facility, manufacture of components and assembly and testing of centrifuge in November 2004.

* President Ahmadinejad invited foreign countries and companies to participate in Iran's nuclear facilities as a joint venture.

* An agreement was signed with Russia to return the Bushehr nuclear reactor's spent fuel.

As a result, the IAEA reported: "All the declared material in Iran has been accounted for and therefore such material is not diverted to prohibited activities".

Iran is the largest and most populous country in the region, with huge reconstruction needs and a young population requiring allocation of a large proportion of Iran's limited resources.

A costly arms race is contrary to Iran's security interests, and Iran's military doctrine is not drawn up to incorporate nuclear weapons.

Iran is the sponsor of a motion at the United Nations to establish a Middle East nuclear-free zone to rid the region of all nuclear dangers, including Israel's vast nuclear weapons stockpile.

The Iranian authorities have repeatedly given assurances that the programme is exclusively energy-oriented and have committed themselves to keep it under relevant international instruments.

Iran's commitment to its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations originates not only from its contractual position, but also from its religious beliefs and ethical considerations.

The supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has reiterated on several occasions his religious verdict on the prohibition of producing, stockpiling and using nuclear weapons.

Iran has been the only victim of weapons of mass destruction in recent history (at the hands of the Saddam Hussein regime). Iranians are determined to ensure that distinction remains.

The particular attention paid to Iran's nuclear energy programme is unwarranted and unfair. It is disproportionate to the nature and goals of the programme and is a clear double standard.

The international community knows that Iran has not violated any international law and the issue does not merit referral to the UN. It is unacceptable to judge countries on mere perceptions and perceived "intentions".

Iran has started nuclear research with prior notification to, and 24-hour inspection by, the IAEA. We maintain close co-operation with the IAEA.

Nuclear research is different from enrichment. Iran continues to be responsive to allay concerns about the nature of the nuclear generation programme on the basis of the routine safeguard implementation matters.

Iran is still committed and keen to continue objective and unbiased discussions with Europe, as well as Russia and non-aligned countries. The best course of action is through dialogue and negotiation, not confrontation.

* Kambiz Sheikh-Hassani is Iran's ambassador to New Zealand.