Iranian President Stands Firm On Nuclear Issue

Iranian President Ahmadinejad announcing on April 11 that Iran has successfully enriched uranium (Fars) June 2, 2006 -- Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad today reiterated that the West will not deprive his country of nuclear technology.

Ahmadinejad did not directly mention a package agreed on June 1 by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, which offers incentives in a bid to convince Iran to suspend its enrichment of uranium.

A senior Iranian cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, made similar remarks today, saying Iran would not be "intimidated" into giving up its nuclear program by Western countries.

Earlier today, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tehran must respond quickly to the incentives offer. Otherwise, she made clear, Iran could face UN sanctions.

(AP)