Welcome everyone and thank you for joining us today.
Mr. Mahdavi, you spoke at some length about the nuclear industry and I'd like to ask you a question about this subject. In “Iran in the World: The Nuclear Crisis in Context“, a book that you co-authored, Mr. Huntley discusses the unique situation that prevails in Iran and the reasons for the country's nuclear ambitions. He explores this issue from the state's perspective and underestimates the importance of the nuclear program to the country's regional politics. He explores the link between this program and Iranian nationalism.
The program is understandably highly symbolic for Iranians. I know you talked about it at considerable length, but I'd like you to briefly touch on the reasons for this program.