U.S., allies should 'apologize' for sanctions on Iran: Ahmadinejad

UN 'can issue resolutions for 100 years,' hardline leader says

Last Updated: Saturday, February 23, 2008 | 5:27 PM ET

CBC News

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on the U.S. and its allies Saturday to "apologize" to Iran for accusing it of seeking nuclear weapons, and said no amount of sanctions would deter his country from pursuing its uranium enrichment program.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, seen here at United Nations headquarters in New York in 2007, has vowed numerous times to defy Security Council resolutions calling on Tehran to halt its nuclear enrichment program.
(Frank Franklin II/Associated Press)

"If they want to continue with that path of sanctions, we will not be harmed," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying Saturday during a television address. "They can issue resolutions for 100 years."

It comes a day after a report by the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency found Iran has increased transparency in its atomic program, but still has not shown enough evidence to demonstrate its goals are peaceful.

But Ahmadinejad said the report vindicated Iran and warned that his country would take unspecified "reciprocal measures" against any country that imposed additional sanctions against it.

The best way for the U.S. and its allies to "compensate for their mistakes" is to "apologize and pay compensation," he added.

On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the IAEA report made a "very strong case" for the UN Security Council to approve a third round of sanctions over Iran's enrichment program.

Earlier this week, Britain and France formally introduced a new Security Council resolution calling for a third round of sanctions against Iran for its failure to suspend uranium enrichment.

Under the proposed new sanctions, all countries would have to ban the entry or transit of individuals involved in Iran's nuclear program — a step up from a previous call for vigilance over their travel.

For the first time, trade in equipment and technology that can be used in both civilian and nuclear programs would also be banned.