Iran calls for end to nuclear arms after North Korea test

Tehran, Feb 12 (AFP) Sanctions-hit Iran today called for the destruction of all atomic weapons after North Korea announced that it had staged its most powerful nuclear test yet. "We need to come to the point where no country has any nuclear weapons and at the same time all weapons of mass destruction and nuclear arms need to be destroyed," foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said when asked for a response to Pyongyang's claim to have detonated a "miniaturised" device. "At the same all countries should have the right to make use of nuclear activities for peaceful purposes," Mehmanparast said at his weekly press briefing. Iran has been slapped with numerous international sanctions due to its controversial nuclear programme, which the West insists masks a drive for atomic weapons despite repeated denials by Tehran.(AFP) BOD 02121559 NNNN