(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-20 22:38

TEHRAN - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad kept defiance towards world powers which demanded Iran to halt its nuclear drive, saying Iranian people's will had "defeated them and brought them to their knees," the state television reported.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad [File photo]

Ahmadinejad made the remarks at Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas, just days ahead of a key report to be released by the head of the UN nuclear watchdog over Iran's nuclear program.

"Iranian people will never allow any powers to stomp its rights....With their unity, faith and determination, the Iranians defeated the world powers and brought them to their knees," the president told a large crowd in a televised speech.

"World powers must understand the Iranian people believe nuclear energy is their definite right and there will be no imposition or any additional cruel rules accepted," he added.

Referring to the upcoming report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed El Baradei, Ahmadinejad said the UN atomic agency which was "legal to deal with the Iranian nuclear program" now is preparing a report and have announced Iran's activity is legal.

Western countries have feared Iran of using a cover of a civilian nuclear program to develop nuclear weapons, which was repeatedly denied by Tehran.

The UN Security Council has adopted two resolutions -- one in December 2006 and the other in March of 2007 -- to force Iran to suspend uranium enrichment activities and to give up its nuclear programs. However, the resolutions were called "useless paper" by Iranian officials.

World powers last month agreed the outline of the third sanction resolution against Iran and the UN Security Council has held discussions on it.

El Baradei is to release his report on Iran on Friday, which is crucial for the foreground of Iran's nuclear issue since the Security Council members would evaluate it and use it as the base to consider whether to impose possible new sanctions against the country.

Iran has downplayed the effect of possible new sanctions, saying Tehran would show a "serious and logical reaction" if the Security Council issue a third resolution.