Ahmadinejad’s Response to Obama on the Nuclear Issue

Following Obama’s statements, Ahmadinejad once again rejected American pressure on nuclear weapons: “You [world powers] can cut your own throat … but don’t think you can stop the progress and building of the Iranian nation.”

TEHRAN — The more the West shows animosity toward Iran, the more Iran “will be determined to go ahead.” Following statements by U.S. President Barack Obama, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad once again rejected the pressure on the nuclear issue, in addition to labeling the U.S. president “ineffective” in pursuing concrete results. “You [world powers] can cut your own throat, jump up or down, issue statements and declarations and pass resolutions … but don’t think you can stop the progress and building of the Iranian nation,” said Ahmadinejad, speaking from the city of Sirjan.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched an investigation after receiving an e-mail on January 14, which informed them that “illegal goods” had been sent to Iran “secretly” by the agency of a company from Shanghai. According to the Journal, Iran’s scientists have been trying for two years to get sophisticated valves for use in equipment that would enrich uranium. Both France and the U.S. said they knew nothing of the matter. Some sources have told the Journal that products often arrive in Iran without anybody being aware of the manufacturers. The message comes at a time when American President Barack Obama is urging China to give the green light in the U.N. Security Council on further sanctions against the Islamic Republic to halt its nuclear ambitions. According to the U.S. administration, the new round of sanctions could come by mid-April.