Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday that Tehran will soon unveil “big new” nuclear achievements, The Associated Press reported.
Speaking at a rally in Tehran marking the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that toppled the pro-Western monarchy and brought Islamic clerics to power, Ahmadinejad did not elaborate on the upcoming announcement but insisted Iran would never give up its uranium enrichment.
“Within the next few days the world will witness the inauguration of several big new achievements in the nuclear field,” Ahmadinejad told the crowd in Tehran’s famous Azadi, or Freedom, square.
At the same time, the Iranian President said that “Iran is ready for talks” with the West about its nuclear program “within the framework of equality and justice.” He warned, however, that Tehran “will never enter talks if enemies behave arrogantly.”
Before Ahmadinejad spoke Saturday, Hamas’ Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh spoke to the crowd and said, “They want us to recognize the Israeli occupation and cease resistance but, as the representative of the Palestinian people and in the name of all the world’s freedom seekers… we will never recognize Israel.”
He added, “The resistance will continue until all Palestinian land, including al-Quds (Jerusalem) has been liberated and all the refugees have returned.”
Haniyeh arrived in Tehran for an official trip on Friday and was welcomed by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi at Tehran’s International Airport.
The visit is taking place following an official invitation extended to Haniyeh by Ahmadinejad.