Iran maintains its nuclear rights

Source: CCTV.com | 02-24-2008 11:13

Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, says his country will not retreat "one iota" in maintaining its nuclear rights. This comes as the UN Security Council consider a proposed third resolution to punish Tehran over its nuclear program.

Ahmadinejad made the remarks one day after IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei circulated

his latest report on Iran's nuclear program to the IAEA Board of Governors.

Ahmadinejad said the report vindicates Iran...And he warned countries considering additional sanctions.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, "The West has to know that if they take any action against Iran from now on, whether they are European or non-European, actions like sanctioning assets or goods, we will show a decisive counteraction and we are not kidding any of those countries."

Ahmadinejad says referring Iran's nuclear issue to the UN Security Council is a "mistake". And he says the US and its allies should "apologize".

An Iranian government spokesman says sanctions will be counter-productive and US attempts to secure a third round of sanctions would be futile.

Iranian government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said, "Those who enter sanctions against Iran will face more damage than they can inflict."

The UN nuclear watchdog says Iran has clarified the majority of open issues in its nuclear programs. But the agency says not enough progress has been made... and the IAEA is still unable to give a definite verdict on Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany are scheduled to meet in Washington on Monday. They will discuss the proposed third UN Security Council resolution on Iran.

Editor:Zhang Ning