TEHRAN – Efforts have been underway by certain countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution to halt Iran’s technological progress, especially nuclear industry, by leveling baseless accusations against the Islamic Republic, the nuclear chief said on Sunday.

Mohammad Eslami, the chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), made the remarks in a meeting with professors in Kerman.

“If you be pioneer in science and technology, you will surely be among the powerful countries and this is something that the foes don’t tolerate the powerfulness of Iran,” the nuclear chief remarked.

“Due to this reason since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution great efforts have always been made (by the foes) to prevent the progress of Iran, especially in the nuclear field under baseless allegations and fake pretexts, unjust sanctions,” he noted.

Eslami added the opponents “constantly beat the drums of sanctions and pressure” on Iran.

He added, “Today power is not having natural reserves, rather power emanates from advanced science and technology and this a determining factor… and pioneering in these fields are a symbol of power.”