Iran says close to reaching its "ultimate goals"

TEHRAN, May 24 (Reuters) Iran is close to achieving its ''ultimate goals'', President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today, accusing the West of trying to stop Tehran's nuclear programme in order to reduce its influence in the world.

He spoke a day after the U N nuclear watchdog said Iran was making substantial advances in uranium enrichment in defiance of world demands, opening the way to harsher sanctions against Tehran over fears it is seeking atomic bombs.

''The enemies want us to surrender so that Iran won't have anything to say in the world,'' Ahmadinejad said in a speech according to Iranian news agencies.

''With the backing of the Iranian nation we are not afraid of the enemies' ... psychological warfare and with God's help we have come close to our ultimate goals,'' he said.

REUTERS RC HT1730