TEHRAN, March 8 (RIA Novosti) - Iran will continue to develop peaceful nuclear technology, in spite of "blackmail from the West", the Iranian president said Wednesday.
"Some world powers are used to subjugating other nations to their own will, but they should realize that the era of domination has passed, and the time has come for the peoples of the world to direct their own destinies," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.
"If they [the West] think that political blackmail and threats can stop the progress of the Iranian people, they are gravely mistaken," he continued. "Iran has clearly and openly made its choice [on the need to develop peaceful nuclear technology], and will continue to follow this path."
Ahmadinejad said the trust of the Iranian people and other nations in international institutions had been undermined, and added that it was time to test the strength of these international bodies.
The president said that the Iranian people were ready for cooperation with the international community, based on legality and mutual respect. Otherwise, they will "cease to pay attention to the arrogant tone of the international community."
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is currently holding a five-day session in Vienna, which is expected to yield a decision on reporting Iran to the UN Security Council. The latter has the power to impose sanctions if Tehran is found to be in breach of its international commitments. The session has already heard a report from IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear program earlier on Wednesday.
