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Iran 'does not need' nuclear arms Iran 'does not need' nuclear arms
(19 minutes later)
The Iranian president has said his country sees no need for nuclear weapons, while insisting Iran will not abandon its pursuit of nuclear energy.The Iranian president has said his country sees no need for nuclear weapons, while insisting Iran will not abandon its pursuit of nuclear energy.
In an interview with US network NBC Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did not explicitly rule out the possibility that Iran would acquire nuclear weapons.In an interview with US network NBC Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did not explicitly rule out the possibility that Iran would acquire nuclear weapons.
He said simply that such weapons were "not a part of our programs and plans".He said simply that such weapons were "not a part of our programs and plans".
Western powers maintain Iran is covertly developing nuclear arms, a charge Iran denies.Western powers maintain Iran is covertly developing nuclear arms, a charge Iran denies.
They have called on Iran to suspend its programme of uranium enrichment, which Tehran says is entirely peaceful.They have called on Iran to suspend its programme of uranium enrichment, which Tehran says is entirely peaceful.
Mr Ahmadinejad is due to address the UN General Assembly next week, and Iran is due to hold fresh talks on its nuclear programme with world powers next month.Mr Ahmadinejad is due to address the UN General Assembly next week, and Iran is due to hold fresh talks on its nuclear programme with world powers next month.
Protest alertProtest alert
In his interview with NBC, Mr Ahmadinejad said his country would not yield to pressure from the UN, the US and European states.In his interview with NBC, Mr Ahmadinejad said his country would not yield to pressure from the UN, the US and European states.
"If you are talking about the enrichment of uranium for peaceful purposes, this will never be closed down here in Iran," he was quoted as saying."If you are talking about the enrichment of uranium for peaceful purposes, this will never be closed down here in Iran," he was quoted as saying.
Asked repeatedly whether there were any conditions under which Iran would develop a nuclear weapon, Mr Ahmadinejad each time replied that Iran had no use for such arms.Asked repeatedly whether there were any conditions under which Iran would develop a nuclear weapon, Mr Ahmadinejad each time replied that Iran had no use for such arms.
"We don't need nuclear weapons," he said."We don't need nuclear weapons," he said.
"Without such weapons, we are very much able to defend ourselves.""Without such weapons, we are very much able to defend ourselves."
The Iranian leader also defended the conduct of Iran's disputed presidential elections in June.The Iranian leader also defended the conduct of Iran's disputed presidential elections in June.
Mr Ahmadinejad claimed victory, but opposition supporters who claimed the vote was rigged staged mass protests.Mr Ahmadinejad claimed victory, but opposition supporters who claimed the vote was rigged staged mass protests.
Dozens of people were killed in the resulting crackdown.Dozens of people were killed in the resulting crackdown.
Iran election laws are built on "the strongest... foundations," the president said, and "the law prevails. I don't see any problems." Iran's election laws are built on "the strongest... foundations," the president said, and "the law prevails. I don't see any problems."
In the Iranian capital, Tehran, security forces were on alert on Friday for an annual pro-Palestinian march that was expected to draw opposition leaders and their supporters.In the Iranian capital, Tehran, security forces were on alert on Friday for an annual pro-Palestinian march that was expected to draw opposition leaders and their supporters.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps said it would deal "decisively" with any effort to stage an opposition protest.Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps said it would deal "decisively" with any effort to stage an opposition protest.