Middle East News

Ahmadinejad: Iran to disclose new nuclear projects soon

Feb 11, 2012, 8:43 GMT

A file photograph showing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. EPA/ALEJANDRO ERNESTO

Tehran - Iran will disclose new nuclear projects in the coming days, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Friday.

'Within the coming days we will witness (the) opening and operation of new nuclear projects in Iran,' Ahmadinejad said at a ceremony in Tehran marking the 33rd anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution.

He did not say what the new projects would be, but he was likely referring to the opening of the new uranium enrichment site of Fordo, located south of Tehran, which is said to be capable of enrichment at 3.5, 4 and 20 per cent.

'The world should know that despite all pressures, Iran will not withdraw one inch from its principles and (nuclear) rights,' he said.

'All countries have put pressure on us for not obtaining nuclear knowhow, but all these pressures were futile. We not only now have the nuclear knowhow but also are capable of providing for our (nuclear) needs by our own local experts,' Ahmadinejad said.

Iran is facing international sanctions because of its uncompromising stance in the nuclear dispute, but has so far rejected the main demand by world powers to suspend uranium enrichment.

The ISNA news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as telling reporters at the anniversary rally that 'Iran would definitely make history and change the world.'

Later in his speech, Ahmadinejad called on world powers to stop using threats and instead return to negotiations based on mutual respect and justice.

'We are ready for resuming the nuclear talks but you (world powers) come up every day with new excuses not to the resume the talks,' he said.

'I tell you on behalf of the Iranian nation that any other option than returning to the negotation table would be doomed to fail,' Ahmadinejad added.

Iran has on several occasion declared its readiness to resume nuclear talks with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, and has chosen Istanbul as the venue.