• Published 14:41 02.12.09
  • Latest update 16:18 02.12.09

Ahmadinejad: Israel can't do 'damn thing' to stop Iran nuclear program

Iranian president says Tehran under no obligation to inform IAEA about plans to build nuclear sites.

By News Agencies Tags: Iran U.S. Israel news Iran nuclear

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday Israel could not do a "damn thing" to stop the Islamic state's nuclear program, which the West suspects is a front to build bombs.

"The Zionist regime (Israel) and its (western) backers cannot do a damn thing to stop Iran's nuclear work," Ahmadinejad said in a televised speech in the central city of Isfahan.

Ahmadinejad rejected on Wednesday as "illegal" a UN nuclear watchdog resolution over the country's disputed nuclear activities, state television reported.

"Under pressure of a few superficially powerful countries ... the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed an illegal resolution against the Iranian nation," Ahmadinejad said in a televised speech in the central city of Isfahan.

The IAEA passed a resolution on Friday censuring Iran for covertly constructing a second enrichment plant near the holy city of Qom, in addition to its IAEA-monitored one at Natanz, and demanding a construction halt.

Tehran said on Sunday it would build 10 more uranium enrichment sites in retaliation for the resolution, which sailed through with unusual Russian and Chinese support.

Ahmadinejad says Iran will enrich its uranium to a higher level in direct contravention to an international call to halt the process.

Ahmadinejad expressed frustration with negotiations over a U.N.-backed deal to swap Iran's low-enriched uranium for higher-enriched fuel rods to power its medical research reactor.

He told a crowd of thousands Wednesday in the southern city of Isfahan that Iran will produce 20 percent enriched uranium and anything it needs for its nuclear program.

Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday his country did not have to tell the United Nations nuclear agency about its plans to build nuclear sites unless it used imported technology.

"We are not obliged to inform the International Atomic Energy Agency about our plans to build nuclear sites unless the technology is imported," Ahmadinejad told state television.

The Iranian leader's comments came after the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday that it would demand Tehran clarify its announcement made earlier this week regarding intentions to expand its uranium enrichment program.

Ahmadinejad added that international sanctions over the Islamic Republic's nuclear work would have no effect and any aggression against the Islamic state would be regretted.

"Sanctions will have no effect. Aggressors will regret their action as soon as they put their finger on the trigger," he said.

The United States said on Tuesday it prefers to continue what it called the "engagement route" but warned that it would "go down the second track" if Iran did not cooperate.

"We think that we've made some very good proposals that will address their concerns, and will help them reap some rewards for their own civilian nuclear program, reap rewards in the sense of greater cooperation, integration with the international community," said State Department spokesman Ian Kelly. "But if they continue not to give us a positive answer, then they'll leave us with no other choice but to go down the second track."

Kelly added that the U.S. is also concerned about Iran providing support to terrorist organizations.

"We do have concerns about Iran providing support - material support - to terrorists," said Kelly. "We have a number of sanctions in place already with Iran. And part of those sanctions addressed just this, the shipment of weapons out of Iran."

Kelly conitnued, "We're hoping that they will help us address these concerns...by engaging with us. We haven't closed the door on this engagement. But time is running out."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Photo by: (Reuters)
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  • 18. 0 0
    To #17
    • CS
    • 06.12.09
    • 00:12

    Sorry my friend, this time they've messed with the wrong person

  • 17. 0 0
    Unfortunately Israel can do a damn thing
    • dani.a
    • 03.12.09
    • 09:06

    As she shows in Lebanon,in Gaza and she threatens to do in Iran mostly pushing the US and her allies to war there.Using war mongering lobby in US and leading by leaders like olmert,bibi,tzipi,barak,lieberman,and very probably by the feiglin or others like him in a close future,defying the world desire to put a finish to the permanent "conflict" in Palestine Israel is able to make damn things.Is the duty for some intellectuals to stop serving the government and begin to speak the truth about in which direction Israel is going,Take example from Goldstone ,a true friend of Israel.

  • 16. 0 0
    To#5
    • Aquatlak
    • 03.12.09
    • 07:15

    Never think Israel will be like a third world country...Most of us have lifelines spiritually because of that Great Country. And Yes Israel will prosper whether some like it or not. Throughout history this country has been bullied and bothered even though they actually have never done wrong to others around them.

  • 15. 0 0
    #8 GA - what would happen if and when Iran
    • Neville Chamberlain
    • 03.12.09
    • 06:25

    became a nuclear power? ----------------------- The price of tea in China would drop and everybody would be happy.

  • 14. 0 0
    Brilliant, Miransky
    • Rick
    • 03.12.09
    • 06:21

    The bottom line is this: At some point in the near future one or more of Israel's 'enemies' will acquire some form of WMD which indeed will threaten the existence of Israel, as Israel now threatens all her neighbors (MAD). Defensible borders are a fallacious argument for continued Israeli expansion (WB) since any deployed WMD will blanket the entire area (you are just a postage stamp sized country) The real question becomes when will Israel start acting like a real country (negotiating, compromising, giving) to her neighbors vs threatening, bombing, and invading them?

  • 13. 0 0
    To #5!!
    • Lev
    • 03.12.09
    • 05:54

    You are quite wrong. US subsidy to Israel is 3bn, the same as 35 years ago. Israel's GDP is 170bn. It is negligible even compare to Israel's military budget. Moreover, this money comes in credits to buy US company's weapons and equipment. However, US is getting staunch, very stable ally, huge amount of tech and field intelligence and technology now flowing more from Israel to US then the other way. "Till then Israel will continue to flourish whether you like it or not." Israel will only flourish on the backs of the American taxpayers, without us they will be just another third world country struggling to make ends meet.

  • 12. 0 0
    Brilliant, Douglas
    • Miransky
    • 02.12.09
    • 20:32

    A mutual defense pact. Very funny. The reason Israel has a nuclear arsenal and is a "renegade" is that its existence was threatened for decades by populous foes on all sides. And now those foes have powerful missiles. That is a fact. It is also a fact that Israel's borders were designed originally to make it vulnerable to destruction. It is also a fact that Pakistan has nukes which it may well let fall into the hands of Israel's implacable enemies. So you are living in a dream world in cloud-cuckoo land if you think Israel is going to give up its defenses.

  • 11. 0 0
    Why does Iran even bother?
    • Douglas Evans
    • 02.12.09
    • 19:50

    Why does Iran even bother to say anything. Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. They have always claimed that they are not trying to develop nuclear weapons but only to develop peaceful atomic technologies. That is allow under the Treaty. There is NO reliable evidence that Iran is committed to developing nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, they are villified by European countries and by Israel, itself a nuclear renegade. Perhaps Iran should just take its signature off the treaty and send the inspectors packing. Here's a way out of the mess: Iran and Israel should sign a mutual defence pact--an attack against either by anyone would be an attack against the other. As part of the agreement, they both should renounce nuclear weapons and Israel should get rid of its nuclear arsenal.

  • 10. 0 0
    DAMN THING
    • DAVID
    • 02.12.09
    • 19:31

    Iran should stop developing the nukes on condition that Isreal destroys what it has in custody. It is as simple as ABC. In fact there is no need to waste time on this issue at all.

  • 9. 0 0
    Natalie - That Bed is kinda Procrustean
    • Mark of Lewiston
    • 02.12.09
    • 19:06

    Iran is not withdrawing from NPT. They dug a hole in the ground. And they are now threatening to dig more. This is the mineshaft gap writ large. China says "no" to sanctions. But it also says "no" to expanded enrichment by Teheran. They also say "no" to war. Stalemate - The Dinner jacket and Netanyahu both get to keep their essence pure.

  • 8. 0 0
    to Natalie Durson
    • GA
    • 02.12.09
    • 17:13

    As you seem to be an expert in M.E. affairs, could you tell us what would happen if and when Iran became a nuke power ? If you say 'nothing', I would say that's a Neville Chamberlain attitude. Try something else.

  • 7. 0 0
    to Michelle No.4
    • GA
    • 02.12.09
    • 16:38

    How would you like it if Ahmadinedjad said : "there was no war between the French and the Germans, no casualties....and we will anihilate France ". How would you react to that ?

  • 6. 0 0
    #4 Michelle
    • Censored Again
    • 02.12.09
    • 16:37

    Israel sells itself as the Arab world's only western democracy and as a forward thinking technological state. If Arabs begin to catch Israel up technologically, and even introduces forms of democracy, as we have seen in China where you improve the living conditions of a people they demand greater freedom. There is a strong likelyhood that the revenue streams Israel currently enjoys will be diverted towards the gulf states. Which to be honest is what is starting to occur. Israel needs to be able to portray states like Syria and Iran as barbarians in order to ensure it's own survival. Also of course the complete lack of electrical generating capacity at Dimona might just come under the microscope.

  • 5. 0 0
    #3 Arnold
    • Cool B
    • 02.12.09
    • 16:33

    "Till then Israel will continue to flourish whether you like it or not." Israel will only flourish on the backs of the American taxpayers, without us they will be just another third world country struggling to make ends meet.

  • 4. 0 0
    Why is it that Iran cannot build a NPowqer plant?
    • Michelle
    • 02.12.09
    • 16:02

    surely they can only be blamed if they build a Nuclear Bomb, but for the time being they are just following IAEA guidlines. Why does Israel get upset, when theyselves are NOT under the supervision of IAEA, they will not come clean, even to say that "WE HAVE THEM",. Which country in this world will say that Israel does not have NWMD?? Really it is a waist of time to even discuss this issue/

  • 3. 0 0
    Natalie # 1
    • Arnold
    • 02.12.09
    • 15:58

    Israel's bed is pretty comfy. Unlike too many hysterics out there I am not worried about Iran's nuclear program. The beauty about the "bomb" is that noone in his right mind is going to push the button.....because the 1st warhead fired anywhere will lead to the retaliation and so on and so forth. The world as we know it will be gone. 2ndly. Aside from Syria, and Lebanon, the rest of the Middle East countries are pretty damned scared about Iran themselves. When and if Egypt , Saudi Arabia and the UAE fall to Islamic fundamentalists..then we should worry. Till then Israel will continue to flourish whether you like it or not.

  • 2. 0 0
    Dentistry
    • Annon
    • 02.12.09
    • 15:38

    Once the US have removed Pakistans 'teeth', which they are currently in the process of doing, and once they have stoped Iran from growing 'teeth', there will be nothing, except perhaps a weak dollar, to stop the jaws of the US closing over the middle east.

  • 1. 0 0
    Israel has made their bed. Let them sleep in it.
    • Natallie Durson
    • 02.12.09
    • 14:59

    In the end, there will be no attack upon Iran. Obama will not start a greater mideast war and will not allow Israel to start one. America has tolerated a decades of Russian nukes. A few Iranian nukes do not scare anybody (except Israel).