Ahmadinejad Says Iran Would Respond Firmly To Sanctions

Ahmadinejad made his comments today during a gathering in Varamin, south of Tehran.

"You should know that the Iranian nation is a peace-loving nation," he said. "It is in favor of talks. It is a nation that likes other nations. The Iranian nation is not in favor of attacking other nations. But you should know that the Iranian nation is standing strong and it will not retreat even one bit from its nuclear rights."

He said efforts by the major powers to pursue sanctions against Tehran will only incite anger and hatred.

The comments came as the Security Council is deliberating a draft resolution that would impose sanctions on Iran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.

(IRNA, AP, Reuters)