Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has scorned calls for his country to rein in its nuclear programme in response to growing international pressure.

He lashed out at the United States calling it a “hollow superpower tainted with the blood of other nations” and said Iran would continue its nuclear activity. Western nations accuse Iran of pursuing its nuclear programme with the aim of producing atomic weapons. Tehran insists its programme is a peaceful one. Iran faces possible sanctions after the Security Council’s five permanent members agreed to ask the UN’s nuclear watchdog – the IAEA – to report Iran to the Council immediately. Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani has said the problem of uranium enrichment can still be resolved through talks, but if that fails, Tehran will resume large-scale enrichment. Western powers are calling on the IAEA to approve a resolution questioning the legitimacy of Iran’s nuclear programme. The IAEA is meeting for an extraordinary session on Thursday to discuss a resolution questioning the legitimacy of Iran’s nuclear programme. It is expected to pass with a comfortable majority.

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