It maintained yesterday that its programme would remain peaceful and even if it introduced nuclear-powered systems into its submarines. "Initial steps to design and build nuclear submarine propulsion systems have begun," Admiral Abbas Zamini, the technical deputy navy chief said. "All countries have the right to use peaceful nuclear technology, including for the propulsion system of its vessels," he said. The navy "needs the (nuclear-powered) propulsion system to succeed in realising very long-distance operations."