BAGHDAD (IRNA) -- Iran has not used and will never use the issue of Iraq to settle its problems with the West, Iranian Charge d'Affaires to Iraq Hassan Kazemi Qomi said here Sunday.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran gives special importance to restoring stability and security in Iraq and has never intended to bring Baghdad into the scenes of conflict or attempts at achieving reconciliation with Western states," Kazemi Qomi told reporters.

"An insecure Iraq can be turned into a convenient arena for terrorism that can exported to neighboring states which Iran does not like," he said.

"Neighboring countries, including Iran, recognize the continuing need and desire of the Iraqi people for stability and security in their country," he added. Asked to comment on the allegations of Western officials and press of Iranian interference in Iraq's internal affairs, he said such allegations are unfounded because "Western countries to date have not provided even one document to prove their allegations."

And, "despite insistence by European states, Iraqi officials have always rejected the accusations," he said.

"Several terrorists have been arrested in Iraq but not a single one has spoke of any links with Iran or of having entered Iraq through Iranian territory."

To point out the incongruity of the accusations, the official pointed out that Iran itself has often been a victim of terrorism.

"Several innocent Iranian officials and people have been martyred in terrorist attacks. The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to bear the pain of terrorism."

He stressed that Iran's longstanding policy is "to help improve the security situation in Iraq and contribute to its economic and political development."

Asked about the row on Iran's nuclear programs, the charge d'affaires reiterated that the country's nuclear activities are peaceful and International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors continue to monitor these activities. He said the problem lies in the fact that "Western states have a dual attitude towards this issue. They remain silent on the Zionist regime's atomic arsenal but deny Iran the right to pursue peaceful nuclear activities."

He argued that if European states were indeed concerned over nuclear proliferation, "they should adopt measures to dismantle Israel's nuclear arsenal."

"Tehran seeks a Middle East free from weapons of mass destruction. The Iranian government and nation believe it is their indisputable right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy but not nuclear weapons, which are against their national and religious principles."

He stressed that Tehran "will never surrender to pressure from Western states and relinquish its inalienable and legal right."

"Iran has taken serious efforts to build confidence in the international community and has cooperated with the IAEA. It is now the IAEA's turn to meet its obligation in fairness to Iran," he concluded.