21 September 2004 -- Iranian President Hojatoleslam Mohammad Khatami said today Iran will continue with its controversial nuclear-weapons program even if it means halting supervision by the UN atomic watchdog.
Khatami said the international community has to acknowledge what he called Iran's "natural and legal right" to continue its nuclear program.
He was speaking at a parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of the war with Iraq in 1980.
On 18 September, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution calling on Iran to halt all its nuclear enrichment activities, part of the nuclear fuel cycle which can be directed to both energy and weapons production.
Iran denies U.S.-led claims it is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons.
President Khatami today said that regardless of whether it is under UN supervision or not, Iran will "in no way" try to acquire nuclear weapons.
(AFP/AP)
He was speaking at a parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of the war with Iraq in 1980.
On 18 September, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution calling on Iran to halt all its nuclear enrichment activities, part of the nuclear fuel cycle which can be directed to both energy and weapons production.
Iran denies U.S.-led claims it is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons.
President Khatami today said that regardless of whether it is under UN supervision or not, Iran will "in no way" try to acquire nuclear weapons.
(AFP/AP)