Iran’s nuclear program won’t slow, leader says

TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ruled out even a brief halt in Iran’s nuclear program, saying Thursday it would hand a victory to the country’s enemies and undercut the Islamic state’s goal of becoming a world power.

Ahmadinejad’s latest salvo – apparently aimed at Washington and Western allies – followed Wednesday’s report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog that said Iran has expanded its uranium enrichment program in defiance of U.N. demands for a suspension. The finding could set the stage for a third round of Security Council sanctions.

“The enemy wants Iran to surrender so it won’t have any say in the world,” Ahmadinejad told a gathering of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards. “If we stop for a while, they (Iran’s enemies) will achieve their goals.”

Iran insists its nuclear program seeks only to develop energy, and has touted it as a sign of technological prowess. The United States and allies contend Iran is secretly aiming to develop nuclear arms.

But there are international divisions on how to handle the standoff.

The current rumblings have reached Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the U.N. nuclear agency, after he suggested that Iran be allowed to keep some elements of its uranium enrichment program.

The United States has lodged a complaint against ElBaradei, and Britain and France are expected to follow suit, said diplomats familiar with proceedings at the Vienna-based agency. The diplomats demanded anonymity because their information was confidential.

The United States and others worry that ElBaradei’s comments could undermine efforts to pressure Iran into scrapping the program.