PESHAWAR, Feb 6: The Consul-General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Peshawar, Mr Mohammad Hasan Emani, on Sunday denied that Iran had any hand in the current volatile situation in Balochistan.

Speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club here, he said that Iran was against interference in any country and added that his country was ready to extend all cooperation to Pakistan in its projects in Balochistan.

Mr Emani said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, during his forthcoming visit to Iran, would sign a memorandum of understanding with the Iranian authorities for supply of electricity to the Gwadar port. He said his country wanted comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The Iranian diplomat also denied that his country had acquired or bought nuclear technology from Pakistan or any of its scientists, including Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

Mr Emani said the United States had tried in the past to defame Iran on this count and its fresh campaign would also fail. He said Iran had always opposed terrorism because the country itself had been a victim of terrorism in the past.

Mr Emani said that Iran had achieved progress and prosperity because of the dedication of its hard working people who were devout Muslims and believed in the sovereignty of God. He said the US had got a war imposed on Iran through Iraq to cripple it.

The Iranian diplomat said that the 10-year war with Iraq did not cause any negative effects on Iran's economy, rather Iran achieved tremendous success in the fields of education, science and technology, agriculture and commerce during that period. "At present, our literacy rate is over 90 per cent. We earn $82 billion through trade. Earlier, Iran was forced to import wheat, but today we export the commodity," he added.

The consul-general said that Iran would celebrate the 36th anniversary of its Islamic revolution with vigour on Feb 11 as it was a turning point in its history. He said the Iranian nation was fully united and it could respond with full force to any aggressor.

Mr Emani reiterated that Tehran would not accept the hegemony of the United States and its allies and would continue its efforts for peace in the region.