Xinhua
Tehran, Feb 24 (Xinhua) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has demanded an apology from the US and its allies for groundlessly condemning its supposed nuclear ambitions and to “compensate for their mistakes”. Ahmadinejad said in a televised address to the nation Saturday that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report vindicated Iran’s position over the nuclear issue and the best way for the US and its allies to “compensate for their mistakes” is to “apologize and pay compensation”.

In the latest report on Iran’s nuclear programme, the UN nuclear watchdog said Iran had clarified the majority of open issues about its nuclear programmes but highlighted Tehran’s continued refusal to halt uranium enrichment.

Iran said the report once more indicated that the referring of Iran to the UN Security Council was a political move that lacked legal basis.

Ahmadinejad warned that Tehran would take unspecified “decisive reciprocal measures” against any country that would impose additional sanctions on Iran.

Western countries have accused Iran of using a civilian nuclear programme as a cover to develop nuclear weapons, a charge repeatedly denied by Tehran.

The UN Security Council has adopted two resolutions - one in December 2006 and the other in March 2007 - in attempts to force Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment activities and give up its nuclear programme.

France, Britain and Germany formally introduced to the UN Security Council Thursday a draft resolution that calls for further sanctions against Iran over its refusal to suspend nuclear enrichment activities.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Russia, China, Britain and France - and Germany will meet in Washington Monday to discuss Iran’s nuclear issue.
Xinhua