Azernews.Az

Western countries want to make Iran insecure after the upcoming presidential elections in the country, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.

Mehmanparast made the remarks speaking at the Allameh University of Iran, according to Mehr news agency.

"The elections are very important to us," he said, adding that fair elections will make Iran stronger and more secure than before.

Next presidential elections in Iran are slated to be held on June 14, 2013. The voters will select the successor of current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is not able to participate in the elections for the third time due to the country's constitutional laws.

Mehmanparast also spoke of Iran's nuclear issue, noting that the P5+1 group that Iranian side holds negotiations with, has to accept nation's nuclear rights.

"If our rights are accepted and recognized, then all possible consequences would be eliminated," he said, adding that achieving common ground would help sides to resolve the issue.

"We are ready to negotiate, however our rights must be recognized completely, within the framework of clear, transparent talks," Mehmanparast said.

Nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group on Islamic Republic's national nuclear program will be held in Almaty on February 26.

In 2012, representatives of P5+1 group and Iran held three rounds of talks in Istanbul, Baghdad and Moscow. None of these meetings resulted in breakthroughs on disputed nuclear issues. Previously talks between the "Six Powers" and Iran were not conducted for over a year.

The U.S. and its Western allies suspect Iran of developing a nuclear weapon - something that Iran denies.

Speaking of the recent developments in the region, Mehmanparast re-affirmed Iran's support for Syria, noting that the next government after president Bashar Al-Assad should be established through democratic elections.

"The only way to resolve the crisis is to negotiate through diplomacy, conducting free elections," he said.

According to the UN, the total number of victims of the conflict in Syria exceeds 70,000.

More than 230,000 have become refugees with around three million in need of humanitarian assistance. Syrian authorities say they oppose the well-armed militants.