Iran denies arms aircraft heading for Iran

TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Tuesday rejected reports that an aircraft loaded with weapons and seized in Thailand might have been en route to Iran.

"Unfortunately, every time when the Western countries try to deprive us of our nuclear rights ... and exert more pressure on Iran, such news would be spread quickly around the world," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told a weekly press conference.

"These pieces of news were fabricated as part of their attempt to exert political pressure and stage their psychological warfare," Mehmanparast said.

"We don't think these actions are meaningful in today's world and we strongly deny such an incident," he added.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that according to a flight plan obtained by researchers, the plane was due to make refueling stops in Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and Ukraine before unloading in Tehran.

Thai police impounded an IL-76 plane on Dec. 12 after it landed for refueling at Bangkok's Don Muang airport. They found and seized about 35 tons of war weapons and detained five crew members of the plane.