Iran is resolved to pursue nuclear program
Iranian president says nation has 'legal right' to nuclear energy
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fiercely defended his country's nuclear program and excoriated the U.S. government -- as well as its supporters -- in a speech Saturday to the United Nations General Assembly.
The hard-line conservative told the world body his nation has every right to operate a nuclear program for peaceful purposes, and he accused the United States of violating international nuclear obligations.
Ahmadinejad lashed out against "nuclear apartheid," saying it is unfair that some nations are allowed to make nuclear fuel while others are condemned for it. (Watch Iran's president lash out over nuclear program)
He also offered to involve other nations and private firms in Iran's nuclear energy program in an effort to prove there is no covert effort to develop nuclear weapons.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to engage in serious partnership with private and public sectors of other countries in the implementation of uranium enrichment program in Iran," he said.
Ahmadinejad also insisted his nation does not have and will not build nuclear weapons.
"In accordance with our religious principles, pursuit of nuclear weapons is prohibited," he said, rejecting U.S. assertions that Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear energy program.
Ahmadinejad accused the United States of violating its obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and accused Washington of hypocrisy.
"Today, the most serious challenges is that the culprits are assuming the role of prosecutor," he argued, accusing the United States of "bullying the others while through huge media resources portraying themselves as defenders of freedom."
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