Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared Tuesday that he expects the international community to recognize Iran's right to pursue nuclear technology before the end of the Iranian calendar year, which closes on 20 March 2007.
Speaking at a Tehran press conference, Ahmadinejad later clarified that he was referring to diplomatic recognition of Iran's nuclear rights, not the completion of a full fuel cycle by that date. He acknowledged that finishing the cycle would require roughly 60,000 centrifuges and considerable additional time.
Iran activated a second uranium enrichment network last month, comprising two cascades of 164 centrifuges each, capable of enriching uranium to between 3 and 5 percent. The country aims to have 3,000 centrifuges operational by 20 March 2007.
The president flatly rejected any suspension of enrichment activities, citing Iran's rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He said Iran had prepared for possible UN Security Council sanctions but expressed doubt they would be adopted.
The United States and Western allies contend Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this, maintaining its program is intended solely for electricity generation.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.