Source:

August 30, 2010

LA PAZ — Bolivian President Evo Morales criticized the sanctions of the United Nations (UN) Security Council against Iran for its nuclear project Monday.

“Iran does not have a single nuclear bomb, according to different sources, while Israel has 60 to 200 nuclear bombs which have not been officially declared,” Morales said during a joint press conference with visiting Iranian Mining and Industry Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian.

“Why is Iran being punished while Israel is allowed to have an illegal nuclear arsenal?” Morales said, adding that it is unfair to allow Israel to be free of sanctions.

The UN Security Council approved a series of military and financial sanctions against Iran for its uranium enrichment activities for the fourth time on June 9.

According to the sanctions, Iran is forbidden to intervene in uranium activities abroad and to purchase several categories of heavy weapons. Its vessels could also be controlled on the high seas.

Bolivia started diplomatic ties with Iran in September 2007 and severed ties with Israel in 2008.