Iran's supreme leader says not to back from nuke right

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed on Monday that his country would not retreat from its legal right over the controversial nuclear program, the state television reported.

According to the television, Khamenei said "there's no doubt the Iranian nation won't retreat from their right (of nuclear technology) and officials of the country have no right to retreat from the nation's right".

The leader also warned the U.S., Britain and some Arab countries not to form an alliance against Iran.

"Politicians of Islamic countries, especially in this region, should know Islam's glory and Iran's power is a support for them, if the U.S., Britain and one or more Arab countries sit down and discuss Iran's nuclear energy to see whether to approve it or not, this would be a political mistake," said Khamenei.

"An alliance with cooperation of the two dirty and inclement governments, is against a nation that Islam is proud of, and a nation that has sacrificed a lot, therefore Arab countries must be careful about this dangerous trap," he stressed.

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1737 on Dec. 23, 2006 to imposed sanctions over Iran's nuclear issue, demanding the Islamic Republic to "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, and work on all heavy water-related projects."

The resolution also called on all states to impose a ban on trade with Iran in goods related to its nuclear program and ballistic missile delivery systems.

However, Iran has been keeping its hardline stance and pledged not to bend under the international pressure.

Source: Xinhua