Iranian Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali-Asghar Soltaniyeh.

Vienna, Austria (SPX) - Iranian Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali-Asghar Soltaniyeh here Monday said that space and satellite activities should not harm the national security of countries. He made the remark at the inaugural ceremony of the 44th meeting of the United Nation's Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) in Vienna.

Turning to the extensive technology and facilities of some countries, he said that they should not be misused to harm the national security and sovereignty of the countries.

Underlining that satellite information should not be made available to security and intelligence agencies, he urged OOSA to take this into consideration.

The Iranian diplomat pointed to Iran's latest achievements in the space sector and declared Iran's commitment to and interests in expansion of international and regional cooperation in the field.

Stressing that outer space should be used for peaceful purposes, he criticized the US new space policy on not supporting talks on peaceful use of space.

"This is against the spirit of demilitarizing the outer space, which is sought by the international community and is considered a type of withdrawal from international disarmament," he added.

Soltaniyeh said that such a policy and the US refrainment from supporting a space free from military targets is threatening international peace and security.

The 44th meeting of the United Nation's Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) in Vienna will continue until February 23.

The latest achievements and measures of world countries in the field of outer space activities will be examined at the event.

Space trash, management of natural disasters by using satellite, sustainable development, marine controls and tackling unexpected incidents will also be high on the agenda of the meeting.

Source: Islamic Republic News Agency