The Iranian ambassador to Korea defended his country’s right to pursue nuclear power at Iran’s national day celebration in Seoul on Friday.

Ambassador Ahmad Masoumifar told diplomats gathered for the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that his country was pursuing “peaceful nuclear technology.”

Suspicions have grown that Iran is secretly developing nuclear weapons technology ― causing the U.S. and European Union to impose sanctions on the Islamic Republic. 

“Despite political and economic pressures and pretexts under which some powers seek to impose sanctions and assassinate Iranian scientists, our nation has firmly decided to try to gain their full rights to modern scientific technologies, including peaceful nuclear technology,” Masoumifar said.

“We believe all nations have the right to take advantage of modern science and technologies and no power can deprive them of it.”

However, the ambassador also praised the “constructive relations” between Korea and Iran at the event that also celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Trade between the two countries grew from $11.5 billion in 2010 to $18.5 billion in 2011. However, Korea is set to cut its imports of Iranian oil this year in line with U.S. sanctions.