03/08/2009

Iran nuclear plant to open for tourists

Iran says it is ready to host tourists who wish to visit its nuclear power plant in Bushehr during the Persian New Year holidays.

Iranian officials seek to highlight their "peaceful" nuclear intentions by opening the nuclear installations in southern Iran during Nowruz.

Nowruz marks the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere and is the start of the Iranian New Year -- March 21st.

"Tourists, who are interested in visiting the country's nuclear site, are allowed to visit the facilities during the Nowruz holidays," Alireza Dejband, Secretary of Southern Region at Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said.

"The whole plan aims to further highlight the peaceful nature of Tehran's atomic work."

Tehran says the only aim of its nuclear program is to make use of the civilian applications of the technology. The US, Israel and their European allies -- Britain, France and Germany -- accuse the country of pursuing military goals.

Iran denies the allegation that it is seeking to build a bomb, arguing that the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) -- to which it is a signatory -- grants it the right to a domestic, civilian nuclear industry.

-- Press TV --
Tags: iran nuclear plant, iran tourists, iran nuclear power plant, persian new year, nowruz holidays