Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave an interview with al-Alam television earlier today to discuss the nuclear program, the possibility of international sanctions and/or use of force.
In his view, the discussions in the Security Council on sanctions against Tehran are "illegal and has no influence whatsoever" on their pursuit of nuclear weapons. From there he goes on to practically beg the West for recognition with diplomatic engagement by arguing 'you can't live without us!'
Towards the end of the interview, he makes his obligatory threat to Israel by declaring it is near "disintegration and they cannot keep themselves from falling apart." Tell us more fairy tales Mahmoud, like how your nuclear program is 'peaceful'.
Q: Welcome dear viewers to this special meeting with his Excellency the President of the Iranian Islamic Republic, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. We took the opportunity of his visit to our channel to hear about the latest developments and positions on the Iranian nuclear issue.
Welcome your Excellency. We would like to thank you for giving us this opportunity.
MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: Thank you too.
Q: Your Excellency, where does the nuclear issue stand today? You said in your recent statements that on the anniversary of the Islamic revolution, the Iranians will be celebrating a new era. You declared that you are in the fianl stages of strengthening your nuclear rights, and declaring Iran as a nuclear country.
MR. AHMADINEJAD: In the name of God, most merciful and Gracious. My regards to all the viewers, all the Muslims and all the nations watching this interview.
Yes, our nuclear issue is clear. We are moving in the framework of international law, and we are protecting the right of our nation to possess this technology. It is very normal - we are acting within the law and no one can stop us.
There are some forces in the world that want power - all of the power - in order to be able to impose their decisions on others. But our nation and other nations reject that.
Today we can produce fuel and we are heading towards the industrial field, which is a given right, and international law grants us this right without any problems.
Some were aspiring, and are still aspiring to find some problems, but they cannot do anything about it. The celebration that we will have will be before the end of this year, and it will reaffirm Iran's rights. We can produce this technology but it needs more machinery on the industrial level.
In the Bushehr nuclear reactor, there are 80 tons at this stage, and we will need 30 more tons of nuclear fuel later if we want to produce electricity in the electro-nuclear power station. We will need 20 times more fuel if we take into consideration our country's need for electricity. Within the next year, I think we will be able to guarantee our fuel needs.
Q: In this context, you have declared that you will use 60,000 new centrifuges. Will you go ahead with this project, and will it take place in coordination with the IAEA or not?
MR. AHMADINEJAD: Yes. Our need for fuel in the industrial field will be covered for now. There are preparations taking place now. The first stage will have 3,000 (tons of fuel). We are going step by step and there are no problems.
Q: But on the other hand, the Iranian nuclear issue is being discussed in the Security Council. There is talk of sanctions and there are Russian and Chinese reservations. What if the Security Council adopts these sanctions? What will Iran do in return?
MR. AHMADINEJAD: We always encourage discussions, and we did not harm anyone until now and we do not allow anyone to harm us. I advise everyone, and tell them that what they are doing is illegal and has no influence whatsoever.
My advice to them is that friendship with the Iranian nation and other nations is a much better solution for them, and they know that. Culturally, financially and politically, the Iranian nation is a power that cannot be ignored, and it has influence on the international level. They know well about the power of the Iranian economy. They cannot do anything about it. Based on this, I do not think that there will be any great influence. They are doing some things that have no influence.
Q: Washington and the American administration might turn to force and attack Iran. Can't the American administration move outside the international circle and the Security Council and form an alliance against Iran, and therefore turn the focus away from Iraq?
MR. AHMADINEJAD: We think that what they started in Iraq is not leading anywhere. The Americans do not have this vision in their minds, and it is not possible and they do not have the capability for it. Their work is not based on any sense. They possess nuclear weapons and they are telling us not to produce nuclear fuel. The American nation itself --
Q: Can't they get Israel to achieve this goal?
MR. AHMADINEJAD: We will see what the Zionist entity will do. They are on their way to disintegration and they cannot keep themselves from falling apart. When you challenge the strong, you do not look at the weak and they know that. They have this propaganda in order to -- they are in denial about the power of the Islamic world and the power of the nations.
This is not part of their plans. Let them have their propaganda and their psychological war. This propaganda will not influence the Iranian nation and its desire. Yes, let them fix the crimes they have committed in Gaza and Beit Hanoun, in order for their days not to turn more and more black.
Q: Thank you, your Excellency for giving us this interview.
MR. AHMADINEJAD: Thank you. Thank you to the viewers. There is no need to worry, victory will be on the side of the nations.
END.
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