Ahmadinejad: Iran Capable to Become Int'l superpower

Islamic Republic News Agency:

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Thursday night that Iran has potentials to become an international superpower speedily. Ahmadinejad, who arrived in the northwestern city of Zanjan for his 12th visit to various provinces of the country Thursday morning, made the remark in a meeting with representatives of women, laborers, university students, farmers, artists and guilds of Zanjan province. READ MORE

He said access to peaceful nuclear energy was a major step towards the country's development, adding, "Today, all international equations have been changed after 27 years of propaganda against the Iranian people and new conditions have emerged.

"There are many countries which produce nuclear fuel and use atomic energy without causing any sensitivity and having any impact on the international equations.

"Access of the Iranian people to peaceful nuclear energy has been so much important that reversed the international equations." Head of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) stated, "We have no need to weapons and military build-up because our position will be upgraded in the world speedily. Our words have currently influenced all the international equations."

"We cannot become an international power if we have 500 nuclear power plants. We should believe in ourselves and identify our potentials."

The president said promotion of self-reliance is the biggest cultural task, adding, "Establishment of peaceful nuclear facilities at Natanz is the result of self-confidence of the Iranian youth." Elsewhere in his address, Ahmadinejad lauded huge potential of Zanjan province and said, "Construction of a petrochemical factory and five power plants in Zanjan are on the government's agenda." The president and his cabinet will hold a session in the capital city, Zanjan, to discuss the province's problems and requirements before concluding their two-day visit.

Ahmadinejad and his entourage had already visited the provinces of South Khorasan, Sistan-Baluchestan, Ilam, Qom, Hormuzgan, Bushehr, Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari, Lorestan, Golestan, Kohgilouyeh and Boyer Ahmad and Khorassan Razavi.