The Realist

The “reformist” candidate in Iran’s upcoming presidential election has said he will not abandon the country’s nuclear programme:

Mousavi said talks with the United States would be beneficial, as long as Iran does not have to “pay heavy costs such as the deprivation of advanced technologies,” a reference to Iran’s disputed nuclear activities.

“We have to have the technology,” Mousavi said, adding that the consequences of giving up the country’s nuclear program would be “irreparable” and that the Iranian people support the nuclear program.

Many Iranians across the political spectrum have rallied behind the country’s nuclear program which is considered a source of national pride.

Mousavi said he would attempt to “lessen the costs of having the (nuclear) technology,” a reference to the fact that Iran is under U.N. sanctions over its refusal to halt its nuclear activity.