Iran has consistently supported the creation of a nuclear-weapons free zone in the Middle East. In 1974, as concerns in the region grew over Israel's nuclear weapon program, Iran formally proposed the concept of a nuclear weapon free zone in the Middle East in a joint resolution in the UN General Assembly.[401] The Shah of Iran had made a similar appeal five years earlier but had failed to attract any support.[402] The call for the creation of nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East was repeated by Iran's President Ahmadinejad in 2006.[403] It was reiterated by Iran's Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki in 2008.[404]