Ahmadinejad: Iran 'will not retreat one iota'
Wednesday, 23 Jul 2008 12:28
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran will not yield to world powers
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that
Iran will not yield to world powers over the dispute involving its nuclear programme.
During a live speech on state television, Mr Ahmadinejad said: "The Iranian nation will not retreat one iota in the face of oppressing powers. The Iranian nation has chosen its path."
Iran is accused of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a claim which the country vehemently denies.
Mr Ahmadinejad claims Iran's nuclear programme is instead for peaceful, energy generating purposes.
Today he described last week's talks between the US and Tehran as a "positive step" but warned against "bullying".
"I advise you not to spoil this positive step... by using the language of colonial times and by bullying," Mr Ahmadinejad said.
US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice earlier accused Iran of not taking the nuclear talks in Geneva over the weekend seriously.