Tehran:
Iran has begun loading domestically-made nuclear fuel rods into its Tehran research reactor, a defiant move in response to toughening Western sanctions.President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who inserted the first Iranian-made nuclear fuel rod into the reactor in north Tehran, today addressed the media on the nation's nuclear achievements.
Here are the highlights of his address:
- Our purposes are peaceful; it is all propaganda against us.
- Stop opposing our programme; nobody can monopolise nuclear science
- They tried to stop us. Our scientists went through difficult times and produced what they did today.
- There is US pressure on every nuclear power. They do not want other nations to progress.
- They embarked on assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists; they do not want knowledge to spread. What sins had our scientists committed?
- They will be no room for plundering by great powers if everyone has the knowledge.
- Any nation that wants to progress, wants freedom , they need to stand against this and crush all restrictions imposed by these arrogant powers.
- US has 10,000 bombs and they say they are against bombs; history will laugh at them.
- They say all options are on the table; let it be on the table till it rots.
- This is not the time for bullying; the world has changed.
- These are major achievements.
- This reactor is a research reactor that produces medicine.
- 2 years ago they said they will not give us fuel; we told them they were making a mistake, Iran will make the fuel.
- I would like to extend congratulations to the Iranian nations
- This belongs to all humanity; we are willing to export these designs to IAEA states.
- This need to be pursued with power; do not be intimidated by propaganda