Iran President-Elect Vows to Pursue Nukes

Kathy Gannon, SFGate.com:

Iran President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Sunday to pursue a peaceful nuclear program — an effort the United States maintains is really a cover for trying to build atomic bombs. READ MORE

"Iran's peaceful technology is the outcome of the scientific achievements of Iran's youth," the ultraconservative Ahmadinejad told a press conference two days after being elected president.

"We need the peaceful nuclear technology for energy, medical and agricultural purposes and our scientific progress. We will continue this."

Tehran's nearly 20-year-old atomic program was revealed in 2002.

Iran suspended all uranium enrichment-related activities in November to avoid having its nuclear program referred to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions. Uranium enriched to low levels has energy uses, while highly enriched uranium can be used in bombs.

France, Britain and Germany have been negotiating with Iran on its nuclear program, offering economic incentives in the hope of persuading the country to permanently halt uranium enrichment.

Last week, former chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix told Swedish Radio it would take many years for Iran to achieve the capability to produce highly enriched uranium needed for an atomic bomb.