Iran takes 'major step in N-arena', dares the World

Tehran: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday came out in defence of his regime's thirst for nuclear energy, saying that the programme was for peaceful and civilian purposes.

In an address to the nation, Ahmadinejad said that nuclear energy costs low in price, adding that his country’s programme would be helpful in knowledge, clean energy and medicines.

In an apparent attack on the West, the Iranian president pointed that for so many years, seven or eight counties had this technology, why other nations were deprived of it.

Reacting to the actions against Iran in wake of the nuclear programme, Ahmadinejad said, "They started to impose sanctions and threats. They tried to stop us."

He, however, said that the programme had not been easy for Iran as "our scientists went through difficult times".

The president further said, "They tried assassinations of our scientists. They do not want us to have knowledge and progress."

Ahmadinejad also hit out at the IAEA saying that the body was informed two years ago about Iran running out of fuel and that they had assured that they would look into it, adding that "this reactor is research reactor for medical purposes".

Reacting angrily over the alleged inaction of IAEA, he said, "If they do not provide us with fuel, we will produce it ourselves."

Referring to the showcasing of new uranium enrichment centrifuges and domestically made reactor fuel by Iran, the president said, "We have taken one long step in nuke arena."

Calling the West (without naming) savage beasts, the Iranian president said, "One atomic bomb kills 5000 people. There are 10 thousand atomic bombs. They can explode the whole planet several times. Is this called progress? They are only political games."

Ahmadinejad’s address to the nation came after Iran showcased its nuclear facilities on live television.

Iran trumpeted advances in nuclear technology, citing new uranium enrichment centrifuges and domestically made reactor fuel, in a move abetting a drift towards confrontation with the West over its disputed atomic ambitions.