TEHRAN, April 5 (UPI) -- All countries should work toward complete nuclear disarmament without exception, the Iranian foreign minister said in Tehran ahead of a global summit.
Iran announced plans during the weekend to hold a two-day conference on nuclear issues. Tehran said it invited 60 countries to take part in the summit scheduled to begin April 17.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said nuclear disarmament needed comprehensive support, Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV reports.
"Talks on nuclear disarmament relate to countries that possess them (nuclear weapons) along with the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council," he said.
His comments come as U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev prepare to sign a treaty Thursday in Prague to reduce the nuclear stockpiles of both countries.
"We believe that even there are individuals in the United States who oppose nuclear arms," said Mottaki.
Washington believes the Iranian nuclear program is progressing toward a weapon. Tehran, for its part, insists the program is for civilian purposes.
Mottaki said the two-day conference was meant to "show Iran's transparent will and sensitive stance on nuclear weapons."
U.N. inspectors are said to be suspicious about plans announced in February by Iranian nuclear officials to build two new nuclear plants "inside mountains."
