Iran President Ahmadinejad rejects pressure on nuclear front

Tehran, Sep 16(ANI): Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has criticized the threat of new international sanctions against his country, and claimed that Iran can survive without the aid of the United States and its allies.

Ahmadinejad also justified the decision to bar further visits by United Nations atomic inspectors.

"We in Iran are in a position to meet our own requirements," The Telegraph quoted Ahmadinejad, as saying.

The UN Security Council imposed a fourth round of sanctions in June, saying that Iran has refused to suspend uranium enrichment and start negotiations with the five permanent members and Germany.

When asked about the apparent escalation of tensions in recent weeks over the topic of Quran burning in the US, Ahmadinejad said that there was no conflict between the two cultures.

He also blamed a small minority of Americans for fueling the rising anger between Muslims and Americans.

"Their interests lie in creating wars and conflicts. Quran is a heavenly book, a divine book. That was an ugly thing, to burn a holy book," he added. (ANI)