Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday said that although Majlis (Parliament) had authorized the government to end its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran plans to press for recognition of its inalienable nuclear right within the framework of international law, rules and regulations.
His remarks were part of a speech he delivered at Azadi Square on Sunday on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution. According to IRNA, he said the nuclear issue has three distinct dimensions -- legal, technical and political.
"Concerning the legal dimension of the issue, we have been complying with IAEA regulations. Our nuclear activities are conducted under IAEA supervision and legally we are entitled to access nuclear technology.
"Countries possessing nuclear technology and which have the duty to assist Iran in this regard (as per NPT rules) have failed to do so but the Iranian nation has managed to access the relevant technology relying on itself," he added.
The president said that Iran will continue to assert its nuclear right based on international rules and regulations and will achieve full recognition within the framework of law and for the time being will not give due course to the legislative mandate to come out from the NPT.
"Fortunately, IAEA reports on the nuclear issue uphold Iran's assertion that its nuclear activities are legal and that it has not deviated in any way in its peaceful nuclear activities, except that there have been unfounded reports to the contrary brought out by certain media under US pressure," he added.
The Iranian leader also warned "hegemonic powers" they have no power to inflict harm on the Iranian nation. "You are actually powerless and cannot inflict any harm on the Iranian nation."
