Ahmadinejad warns of 'firm response' to sanctions

TEHRAN: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday warned Iran would react firmly to any UN sanctions imposed on Tehran over its contested nuclear programme.   

"We are not looking for tension but any action that aims to limit us will receive an appropriate and firm response from the Iranian people," said Ahmadinejad during a gathering in Pishva in Tehran province.   

Iranian officials have already vowed the Islamic republic would hit back against any eventual sanctions but have said the nature of the retaliation would only be revealed if and when the penalties are imposed.   

Oil markets are rattled by the possibility of Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz -- a key conduit for transporting oil -- but leaders from OPEC's number two producer have vowed not to use oil as a weapon in the standoff.   

Despite an ongoing bid by Western powers at the UN Security Council to impose sanctions against Tehran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, Tehran has stepped up its research into the sensitive activity.   

It has enriched uranium on a research level from a second cascade of 164 centrifuges at its nuclear plant in Natanz as well as from an already installed cascade of a similar size.   

"No one has the right to renounce the absolute rights of the Iranian people," Ahmadinejad added.   

"The Iranian people, with the help of God, have resisted and despite sanctions have succeeded in reaching the nuclear summits," referring to existing US sanctions that have been in place for two-and-a-half decades.   

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki meanwhile said Iran still wanted to expand its uranium enrichment research operations despite the looming threat of sanctions action.   

"I hope that the chain of research activities can be completed in the most rapid way possible," he said, according to the ISNA agency.   

Iran wants to have six cascades of centrifuges at the test plant in Natanz and is also seeking to install a total of 3,000 centrifuges at an industrial-scale enrichment facility at the same atomic plant.   

Enriched uranium lies at the centre of the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme, as it can be used both to make nuclear fuel and, in highly refined form, the core of a nuclear bomb.   

Ahmadinejad also lashed out at key US ally Britain for its role in efforts by European powers to draft a resolution for the UN Security Council which if passed would impose sanctions against Tehran.   

"About the resolution, I say to the British government that it will reap nothing other than humiliation and baseness. You can gesticulate and make immature actions but that will bring you nothing," he said.   

UN Security Council powers are still discussing the resolution and diplomats have warned that it could take several weeks to reach an agreement, with Russia and China unwilling to vote for a severe set of penalties against Tehran.   

The text drafted by Britain, France and Germany in consultations with Washington provides for a freeze of assets related to Iran's ballistic missile programme and nuclear industry as well as travel bans on scientists.   

Ahmadinejad appeared unconcerned by the prospect of sanctions, saying Iran did not need outside help.   

"They say that if Iran refuses to suspend enrichment they will impose sanctions and no longer sell us parts used in ballistic missiles and the nuclear industry," he said.   

"I tell them even if all you gave us was a bolt, declare it! I say that we do not need any help from your side," he said in a second speech in Varamin, broadcast live on state television.   

Iran vehemently rejects US allegations that its nuclear programme is aimed at making nuclear weapons, saying the drive is solely aimed at providing energy for civilians.