Region | Iran
Iran remains defiant over nuclear work
Iran's secret uranium enrichment plant 'completely legal', says Ahmadinejad as world leaders pressure Iran anew.
- Agencies
- Published: 12:17 September 26, 2009
- Image Credit: AP
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during a press conference in New York on Friday.
New York: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinjead remains defiant that Iran did not violate the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) despite building a secret nuclear facility.
Ahmadinejad's comments came after US President Barack Obama revealed that Iran has built a second uranium enrichment facility.
On Friday, Ahmadinejad said Iran complied with UN rules that require it to inform the IAEA six months before a uranium enrichment facility becomes operational.
He said that the new facility will not be operational for 18 months so Iran has not violated any requirements of the IAEA.
"What we did was completely legal, according to the law. We have informed the agency, the agency will come and take a look and produce a report and it's nothing new," he said.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced serious concern in a meeting with Ahmadinejad on Friday that Tehran was building a new uranium enrichment facility.
"The burden of proof is on Iran" to convince the international community its nuclear program is peaceful, Ban said he told Ahmadinejad during their meeting.
World leaders pressured Iran anew to quickly disclose all its nuclear efforts—including any moves toward weapons development—"or be held accountable."
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev challenged Iran on Friday to prove it is not seeking to develop atomic weapons.
Medvedev said revelations that Iran has been building a uranium-enrichment plant in secret raised "serious concerns."
He demanded that Tehran come to the table at an international meeting next week with a cooperative attitude and evidence of peaceful intentions.
"We should be able to count on Iran presenting convincing evidence of its intention of striving to use atomic energy for peaceful ends," Medvedev told journalists during a G20 summit overshadowed by worries about Iran.
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