World powers can pass UN sanctions resolutions for 100 years without deterring Iran from its nuclear ambitions, Iran's president has said.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's comments came a day after a report by the UN nuclear watchdog said Iran was being more transparent about its nuclear plans but was not doing enough to clear up concerns about whether it had military aims.
Tehran insists its plans are peaceful. But the United States, which has accused Iran of seeking to build nuclear bombs, said yesterday's IAEA report was a good reason to impose more UN sanctions.
'If they want to continue with that path (of sanctions), we will not be harmed. They can issue resolutions for 100 years,’ the president said.
Those leading the bid to impose more penalties, an apparent reference to Washington, and its allies could not ‘bring the Iranian nation to its knees,’ he said.
‘If they continue (with this pressure), we have designed reciprocal actions,’ he said.
Iranian officials have previously warned that it could review cooperation with the IAEA, if pushed.
The president declared the IAEA report a ‘victory’ for the Iranian nation, pointing to areas of the document which showed Iranian cooperation had cleared up suspicions.
