Iran Calls for Nuclear Ban at Summit

Just as the West is accusing Iran of stepping up preparations to develop nuclear weapons, the nation's foreign minister yesterday called for a ban on nuclear arms at a conference of the Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran, reports AP. "We believe that the timetable for ultimate removal of nuclear weapons by 2025 will only be realized if we follow it up decisively," Ali Akbar Salehi told delegates from the 120 nations. Iranian officials also underscored earlier accusations of terrorism against the West by placing near an entrance to the meeting three battered vehicles, which they said were bombed to assassinate Iranian scientists in attacks orchestrated by the US and Israel. Nearby, a helium balloon placed at the former US embassy hailed Iran as a "cradle of peace and justice," reports the Los Angeles Times. Iran is currently head of the group, which was formed during the Cold War by nations not aligned with the US or the Soviet Union. (More Tehran stories.)