(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-22 13:51

ARDABIL, Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed again Wednesday not to make concessions to the West over Iran's nuclear program, while an Iranian newspaper reproached the hard-line leader for his attacks on critics in the country's conservative camp.

Iranians overwhelmingly back Iran's right to make use of nuclear energy, but criticism of Ahmadinejad has been growing in recent months over his confrontational approach to the US and its allies in the dispute. Many people are also discontented over the poor economy.

Jomhuri-e-Eslami, a daily aligned with Iran's Islamic establishment, ran an editorial taking Ahmadinejad to task for calling former nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian a "traitor." It said the president was "wrong," and added that only courts should make such judgments.

An Iranian technician looks at a camera installed by the International Atomic Energy Agency, at the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facilities (UCF), 420 kms south of Tehran, in 2005. [Agencies]

Although the president named Mousavian, his attack was widely viewed as being aimed at the envoy's ally, former president Hashemi Rafsanjani, who is thought to be arguing for a more moderate stance in Iran's dealings with the West.

Rafsanjani has emerged as a leader of conservatives who once supported Ahmadinejad but have increasingly gone public with criticism of government policies. He also likely worries the president because he has some influence with Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ultimate say over all issues, including the nuclear program.

Earlier this month, Ahmadinejad branded critics of his handling of the nuclear issue as "traitors" and warned he would take action against them — a warning many saw as a volley against Rafsanjani's camp.

"It is not correct to take judgment about such issues to the press, universities and the public," Jomhuri-e-Eslami said in its editorial.

It said Ahmadinejad should not interfere in judicial matters and suggested legal action should be taken against those who make allegations against individuals — a comment believed directed at the president.

Speaking at a rally in Ardabil, a city in the northwest, Ahmadinejad stood firm in rejecting calls for moderation in grappling with international pressure over the nuclear program. He said concessions would only result in more concessions being demanded further down the road.

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