20% enrichment has nothing to do with making atomic bomb: Iran pres.

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reaffirmed the country’s right to enrich uranium to 20 percent purity, stressing that the legitimate activity is a matter of necessity that has nothing to do with building an atomic bomb.

We were not keen on using the right to enrich uranium to 20 percent, but we were forced to embark on enrichment activity as they (the countries producing 20 percent uranium) declined to give it to us without a reason or to provide us with our needs, said President Ahmadinejad in an interview with the satellite television network France 24 on Wednesday.

He dismissed the propaganda against Iran’s enrichment activities and stated, “Such enrichment has nothing to do with building an atomic bomb. [Even] those who enrich uranium to 3 percent can produce 20 percent uranium.”

They have some explaining to do if they do not wish us to use the right or supply us with our need, he added.

Why should Iran trust the Western powers that possess nuclear bombs? Which is more dangerous: an atomic bomb or the 20 percent uranium enrichment? Ahmadinejad asked.

The Great Satan US, Zionist Israel and some of their allies accuse Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear energy program.

On February 22, the Leader of Islamic Ummah and oppressed People Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the Islamic Republic considers the pursuit and possession of nuclear weapons “a grave sin” from every logical, religious and theoretical standpoint.

The Iranian president further expressed hope that the upcoming talks between Tehran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) in Moscow on June 18-19 would be held on mutual respect, but reiterated that “we did not expect a miracle from the meeting.”

Ahmadinejad urged the sides to continue dialogues and observe regulations in order to achieve objectives.

The atmosphere of talks needs a shift towards cooperation on the basis of justice and equality. Then the talks can yield results, he pointed out.

In response to a question about Israel’s warmongering rhetoric against Iran, Ahmadinejad said, “We are not afraid of Israel’s strike. The Iranian people have shown they know how to deal with such threats.”

Iran enriches uranium to 20 percent to provide fuel for Tehran’s Research Reactor, which produces medical isotopes for cancer patients.

Tehran has frequently maintained that it does not need or intend to enrich uranium at levels above the required 20 percent.

It also refutes allegations against the country’s nuclear energy program, noting that frequent inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency have never found any diversion in Iran’s nuclear energy program toward military purposes.