Ahmadinejad blasts hostile IAEA policy

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its “hostile” attitude despite Iran’s full cooperation.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran cooperated with the IAEA for years so that all could observe Iran’s peaceful activities and now we are certain of their (the West) animosity,” Mehr News Agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying on Sunday.

Addressing European countries, Ahmadinejad said, “Iran does not welcome disputes, tension, sanctions or resolutions” and is instead a proponent of amicable relations and logic.

“Any country that has befriended the Iranian nation has reaped the benefits,” said the Iranian president, warning against the inspection of Iranian vessels.

“Should you make any decisions against Iran, including ship inspections, you will see the Iranian nation’s immediate response. Everybody knows that the Iranian nation’s response will cause [the enemy to] rue the day.”

“In confronting the US and its followers (allies) we have no need for war. Instead, Iranian wisdom, culture, and policy will bring them down,” he added.

Ahmadinejad reiterated that the West is looking for an excuse to launch wars on more countries in the Middle East to destabilize the region.

“You (the West) can not bully Iran, so you decided to attack other regional countries and this will also prove futile.”

On June 9, the UN Security Council passed a US-drafted sanctions resolution targeting the country’s shipping industry as well as financial and military sectors.

The US and EU have since adopted unilateral measures against Iran over allegations that Tehran is pursuing a covert military nuclear program.

Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed Tehran is commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which it is a signatory, and argue that as a member of the IAEA Iran has the right to civilian nuclear technology.