IRAN: UN Security Council resolutions will not make Iran give up uranium enrichment, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday, adding that the world would enjoy peace if it were not for US bullying.
The president spoke in two northwestern towns shortly before the International Atomic Energy Agency issued a report that said Iran had ignored a 30-day deadline from the security council to suspend enrichment, a process that can produce fuel for power generators or material for nuclear warheads.
The UN agency's report also found Iran had failed to answer questions intended to ascertain whether it was attempting to build nuclear weapons.
"The Iranian nation won't give a damn about such useless resolutions," Mr Ahmadinejad told thousands of people in Khorramdareh.
"Those who resort to the language of coercion should know that nuclear energy is a national demand and, by the grace of God, Iran is today a nuclear country," state television quoted Mr Ahmadinejad as saying.
The crowd responded with chants of "Down With America!" and "Nuclear energy is our definite right!" Speaking earlier, Mr Ahmadinejad accused the US and its allies of trying to run the world by force. He did not name the US, but his meaning was clear.
"A few arrogant powers have deviated from the path of the prophets and service to God and have resorted to aggression and bullying. Humanity does not have peace and security because of their behaviour," the Iranian leader told a crowd in the town of Ijrood, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency.
In Tehran, the former president whom Mr Ahmadinejad defeated in last year's elections, Hashemi Rafsanjani, took a softer line in urging the world to tread cautiously, but made no hint of concessions.
"Be careful and think of the consequences of your actions," Mr Rafsanjani said at Tehran University. "I insist that you don't cause trouble for yourselves, us and the region."
Hundreds of scientists had worked on Iran's nuclear programme for 25 years. "It is not possible to take it away from us," said Mr Rafsanjani, who remains powerful as head of Iran's Expediency Council, which arbitrates between the parliament and the ruling hierarchy.