While its relations with the United States remain tense, Iran is committed to resolving its nuclear issue by cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Javad Mansouri, Iran's Ambassador to China, said in a recent interview with Beijing Review reporter Yan Wei. Mansouri indicated that Iran enjoys good relations with the world nuclear watchdog. Although it barred some IAEA inspectors to show its dissatisfaction with UN sanctions imposed in December, this incident will not affect their cooperation, according to the ambassador. Apart from discussions on the hotly contested nuclear issue, Mansouri hailed China-Iran cooperation as being free of problems. Excerpts of the interview follow:

Beijing Review: Can you make some general comments on the Iranian nuclear issue?

Javad Mansouri: Iran has the right to acquire nuclear energy technologies, including technology for nuclear power plants and uranium enrichment, according to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, some Western countries led by the United States are opposed to this. They don't want to see Iran develop nuclear energy while enjoying an abundance of oil and natural gas resources. From a strategic point of view, we must develop nuclear energy. We believe the United States is under pressure from Israel, which insists that Iran should not have the right to peacefully exploit nuclear energy. Israel has exerted heavy pressure on the Iranian nuclear issue and somewhat influenced the United States.

Iran barred 38 IAEA inspectors from entering the country. Do you think that was in retaliation for the UN resolution aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program passed at the end of December? To what degree do you expect the incident will lead to an escalation of tension between Iran and the IAEA?

We cooperate with the IAEA according to the NPT. As a signatory of the NPT, Iran has the right to ask the IAEA Secretariat to change the inspectors. However, our behavior and attitude this time may be regarded as retaliation for the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council and an expression of our dissatisfaction. It will not affect the cooperation between Iran and the IAEA because it is our lawful right to ask to change the inspectors.

What has been the impact of UN sanctions?

The UN sanctions have little impact on Iran. We do not feel any. This is not the first time Iran has been subjected to sanctions, so we have experience. We believe that developing nuclear energy is a lawful right of Iran and is in the national interest of Iran. The sanctions run counter to Iran's national interests. We must cope with the pressure while sticking to our principles.

How will Iran cope with the pressure?

We expound our views on the international stage to make them better understood by the international community. We have maintained good relations with the IAEA. Our negotiations have never ceased. We also hold consultations with the permanent members of the UN Security Council to explain our views.

Is there any possibility of improving Iran's relationship with the United States?

The United States does not recognize Iran's independence. As a result, we cannot open talks with it or improve Iran-U.S. relations. The United States attempts to control and govern Iran. It knows that Iran is an important country. It is interested in Iran's geopolitical status and the fact that Iran is a major regional power. As the United States has no intention of changing its ideas and goals, we are not sure about restoring our relations with it.

What has China's input been in trying to resolve the nuclear issue?

I think China abides by the NPT and consistently adheres to its principles. This stance is good for China, for world peace and stability and for the countries that have encountered a so-called "nuclear crisis."

How do you define current China-Iran relations in the economic, political and social spheres? What do you think are the global implications of the bilateral relationship?

Although I've been in China for only a short time, I'm already convinced that the millenniums-old relationship between China and Iran has taken root in the two countries' culture, politics, economy, society and history.

There is no doubt that the Iranian civilization in West Asia and the Chinese civilization in East Asia are two great civilizations of the world. While preserving their distinctive characters, they have both enriched themselves over the past thousands of years. That is why there have been no major conflicts between Iran and China. Instead, the two countries have all along contributed to humanity with their great civilizations. For example, the ancient Silk Road not only connected the two Asian civilizations but also helped introduce their achievements to the Western countries.

Now the relations between Iran and China have moved into a new stage. Iran's advantages in energy, oil and gas, transportation, trade in goods and services and education may herald excellent opportunities for cooperation.

Iran and China not only cooperate with each other at the bilateral level but also have satisfying cooperation in the region. With stable, powerful governments, the two countries play an important role in our region.

Iran and China also have kept close contact regarding international affairs. It should be noted that the two countries hold the same position on many international issues. Although we do not share the same views on every issue, the issues on which our views diverge are not many. This is not a problem for us. Divergences of views between governments are natural.

The Iranian Government is committed to modernizing the country. Its cooperation with countries in the region and major international organizations has deepened. It is worthy of notice that Iran has become an observer in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, an important regional organization that groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Iran is ready to expand its cooperation with China. Nothing can hold back our cooperation, and there are no problems in the cooperation.

Chinese companies are getting increasingly involved in Iran, especially in the energy sector. Is it important for Iran to attract foreign investment?

Iran and China cooperate in the energy field not only in the form of trade but also through equipment purchases. China has taken part in many major energy projects in Iran. The cooperation between the two countries takes various forms and has made great strides in recent years. We are expecting to see closer cooperation between the two countries in the energy field in the future. Iran has a large market, and it will play an important role in satisfying the needs of the Chinese consumer market, too.

Another area of cooperation is energy technology. We believe Iran should improve its technology in the energy field and we need to cooperate with China. We will not only cooperate in the traditional energy sector, we are also planning to work together in areas such as energy conservation, fuel processing and technology and equipment. Also, Iran has started to do research on wind energy, solar energy, marine energy and geothermal energy, offering potential for cooperation.

At present, China's investment in Iran is still not large, compared with some other countries. It mainly participates in Iran's large projects through financing. We hope China will make more long-term investment in Iran. Iran has rich financial resources at home and we do not want to attract too much foreign investment.