Hawks pushing Obama on Iran

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says US President Barack Obama is under pressure from a “group” to adopt an aggressive stance against Iran.

“We believe that there is a group that is trying to bring Mr. Obama closer to a clash with Iran or stand against Iran,” Ahmadinejad told Russia Today on Tuesday.

“When Mr. Obama is placed in the position of clashing with Iran, then his motto for change is lost,” he added.

“Mr. Bush used to pass resolutions against us. Where did it go? Where did it take him? Where are we today and where is he today? Iran is still advancing, and he is gone,” Ahmadinejad stated.

Asked about the West’s campaign to impose new sanctions on Iran, he said that the Islamic Republic is not worried about such sanctions.

“We are not concerned by sanctions. Of course, we don’t welcome them, but we are not concerned by them either. We believe they are oppressive and unjust,” said Ahmadinejad, who arrived in New York on Sunday to attend the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference.