TEHRAN – President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said here on Monday that Iran seeks to make use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in the fields of energy, medical science, industry, and agriculture.

“All of our nuclear activities are conducted openly. The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) should adopt a fair approach,” he told reporters at a press conference.

“Iran’s nuclear activities are the most open type of activities in the world. This can be proven if the IAEA prepares individual reports about the activities of various countries.

“The fact that we have openly announced that we have mastered the nuclear fuel cycle shows that we have no reason to keep our activities secret.”

“We are willing to work within the framework of the IAEA, but the agency should not apply double standards. We are opposed to every kind of chemical, nuclear, and non-nuclear weapons. International organizations should not be turned into tools in the hands of a few major powers. The IAEA should restore its reputation.”

Ahmadinejad ruled out the possibility that Iran would face sanctions by the UN Security Council for continuing its uranium enrichment program.

“It’s very unlikely that they would make such a foolish move,” he noted.

“They know quite well that putting any kind of restriction on Iran will be disadvantageous for them.”

“We are a rich nation and have the means to protect our national interests,” he stressed.

“The UN Security Council, as an international organization, will lose its juridical credibility if it casts a vote based on the views of a few countries, and we will not follow the rulings of an organization that lacks legal credibility.”

“A wrong decision cannot be baptized and legitimized in the name of the Security Council.”

The president also stated that Iran’s nuclear activities pose no threat to regional countries.

“There is no tension in the region, and we have very friendly and permanent relations with other countries.”

“Most regional states do not believe Iran’s access to the nuclear fuel cycle runs contrary to their national interests and security and (they) are not concerned about Iran’s nuclear program.”

“We do not tolerate the language of threats but are very firm in defending national interests,” he asserted.

Ahmadinejad noted that Iran will continue its nuclear activities with the goal of producing 20,000 megawatts of nuclear electricity.

“The three European countries (Britain, Germany, and France) should realize that the Iranian nation is united and that nuclear technology is 100 times more important than the nationalization of the oil industry for the Iranian people,” he said.

“We possess the nuclear fuel cycle, we should enjoy our legal rights, and we will continue with our cooperation with the IAEA.”

“We have had extensive cooperation with the IAEA, but if our rights are violated, we will have to revise this approach.”

Insisting on one’s right does not mean seeking violence or tension, Ahmadinejad stressed.

Iran has developed this technology itself and will surely safeguard it, he said.

Ahmadinejad went on to say that Iran seeks nuclear technology for civilian use within the framework of its international obligations and that talk of suspensions of Iran’s nuclear activities is meaningless.

“Those who talk of suspensions must present a convincing reason, but they have not done so yet.

“For producing nuclear fuel, enrichment must be conducted up to 3.5 to 5 percent, and doing this is in our plan. We do not have any other needs,” he added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Ahmadinejad said that with the establishment of the Iraqi government there is no longer any need for Iran to hold talks with the United States.

He stated that Iran does not trust the U.S. administration and expressed hope that Washington would allow the Iraqi people to govern their own country without being humiliated.

On the U.S. military option against Iran, he said that U.S. officials do not talk about this option because they know that it would be dangerous for them.

“If they talk about a military option, it will dearly harm their economic and social situation. Therefore, they want to make us back off by using psychological pressure, rhetoric, and media propaganda, which is meaningless for us. We have nuclear technology and are prepared to cooperate with other countries in this regard,” he said.

Turning to domestic affairs, the president stated that the government has made all-out efforts to materialize its four main slogans of justice, kindness, service to the people, and over-all development and progress.

Ahmadinejad said that Iran is very rich in manpower and can materialize the 20-Year Outlook Plan in the least possible time.

He noted that Iranian scientists are taking steps toward meeting the needs of the nation and gaining access to advanced technology in various fields.

“Today, I can proudly announce that our scientists have new scientific ideas in various fields. However, we still have some way to go to reach our ideal status.”

“Today, our nation is more unified than ever in following its ideals,” the president noted.

The compassionate, literary, artistic, and faithful Iranian nation has always sympathized with all nations in the world, he said.

The Iranian culture is very worthy and can become a model for all nations in the world, the president added.

“If some nations in the modern world are pressured through war, oppression, and an atmosphere of threats, it is because a few major powers are only using the language of force and aggression,” Ahmadinejad said.

“Thus, nations see their resources spent to stockpile weapons instead of for improving the people’s standard of living.”

Ahmadinejad stated that Iran has no sensitivity over the emigration of its nationals to other countries, saying, “We consider all Iranians throughout the world as part of our assets.”

He said that his provincial trips reduce the expenditures of the government because the president and the cabinet do not belong only to Tehran.

Turning to the issue of the Holocaust, the president said that even if the event really took place, it is not the Palestinians who should be forced to pay the consequences.

Ahmadinejad said that Iran believes that Jews have as much of a right to live as all other humans beings and called on the Europeans to stop fighting against the Jews and to open the gates of their countries to them in an effort to establish peace, justice, and permanent security.

Asked about the claim by an Israeli daily about a plot by the Mossad to assassinate him, the president said, “They officially declare that they want to assassinate me because I oppose their positions. I, too, officially declare that I oppose the policies of these two or three countries toward international issues and say it out loud.”

“If they think that everything will end with my assassination, they are making a mistake. It is ridiculous that an official of a country is officially threatened with assassination and international bodies do not feel concerned. It must be for the sake of human rights!”

“Governments can no longer take nations captive in order to fill their own pockets with money. The time is over for such actions. Now is the time for nations,” he stressed.

“The U.S. can no longer depict nations as it wishes through its media or take any action that it likes against various countries.”

“We seek lasting peace and calm in the world, but not the kind of peace that is imposed on nations.”

Addressing the U.S. and Britain, the president said, “You have turned diplomacy into a lie and a ruse in the world. No one can trust others anymore.”

Ahmadinejad announced that he intends to write a letter to all world leaders to inform them of various issues.

“The message of the Iranian nation is inviting all to the culture of the prophets. This is the Iranian nation’s slogan this year. Let’s return to the culture of our prophets to establish peace and prosperity for humanity.”

Responding to claims that Iran is increasing the price of oil, the president said, “We would like see an increase in the price of oil, but we do not want to tyrannize anyone.”

“The time is over for relying on weapons and arsenals. Now is the time of intellectuality and culture. We are a nation seeking peace and calm and do not consider our progress and strength to be opposed to the interests of any other nation.”

Ahmadinejad also noted that Iran is prepared to negotiate with everyone, with the exception of the Zionist regime, on the promotion of world peace.