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Iranian President Discusses Nuclear Standoff in Rare News Conference
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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Islamic republic has every right to possess
nuclear technology and is not interested in acquiring nuclear weapons





Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the Islamic republic has
every right to possess nuclear technology and is not interested in
acquiring nuclear weapons.

The Iranian leader's comments came Saturday in a rare televised news
conference to discuss the standoff with the West over Tehran's
controversial nuclear program.

He told journalists that Iran will not by bullied by Western threats
to refer Tehran to the U.N. Security Council because of the country's
nuclear program.

Iran heightened international concern this week when it broke seals
placed by the International Atomic Energy Agency on nuclear facilities
and resumed nuclear research. Tehran also threatened to end
cooperation with the U.N. nuclear agency if Tehran's nuclear program
is referred to the Security Council for possible sanctions.

President Bush warned Friday a nuclear armed Iran would pose a grave
threat to world security. After a meeting with visiting German
Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr. Bush said Iran must not be allowed to
possess a nuclear weapon.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.


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