Ahmadinejad says intelligence report is 'victory'

Tehran: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has described the US report claiming that Iran stopped its nuclear weapons programme in 2003 as “a victory''.

Speaking on Iranian television, Ahmadinejad repeated his claim that Iran would not retreat in its nuclear programme, which is says is for peaceful purposes.

He added: “This report ... is announcing a victory for the Iranian nation in the nuclear issue against all international powers.''

US secretary of state Condoleeza Rice said the United States would continue pushing for sanctions against Iran, adding it would be a "big mistake" to ease the pressure.

Earlier, China's ambassador to UN said the new intelligence report raised questions over whether new sanctions were needed against Iran.

Wang Guangya said: "I think the council members will have to consider that, because I think we all start from the presumption that now things have changed.''

Russia, also part of the Security Council, said the report
should be taken into account when considering fresh sanctions.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: "We will assess the situation on proposals for a new resolution in the United Nations Security Council on the basis of (several) factors, including the publication by the United States of data showing that Iran does not have a military nuclear programme."