Ahmadinejad: Iran won't retreat from nuclear path

[jaxx]

Ahmadinejad: Iran won't retreat from nuclear path

Nov 9, 10:16 AM (ET)

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Wednesday that Iran won't retreat "one iota" from its nuclear program, denying claims that it seeks atomic weapons. Key ally Russia gave the Islamic Republic a major boost, rejecting tighter sanctions despite a U.N. watchdog report detailing suspected arms-related advances.

In his first reaction to the report, Ahmadinejad strongly chided the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency - a day after it claimed Tehran was on the brink of developing a nuclear weapon - saying the IAEA is discrediting itself by siding with "absurd" U.S. accusations.

<..> "Any additional sanctions against Iran would be perceived by the international community as an instrument for regime change in Tehran," deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told the Interfax news agency, adding that Russia "does not intend to consider such proposals."

<..> Meanwhile, Iran's other chief ally, China, issued cautious statements calling for diplomacy and dialogue.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/2011110...9IM00.html

I thought we'd be hearing from Ahmadinejad after Israel's saber rattling. They're both acting childish.