Context
Iran vowed on Wednesday that it would not step back from its nuclear program. Iranian officials made the statement after the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) claimed Tehran was engaged in activities that supported the development of nuclear weapons.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad reacted to the reports by telling supporters Iran did not need an atomic bomb, and that the Islamic Republic would not step back “an iota” from its nuclear path.
Iran’s permanent representative to the IAEA, Ali-Asghar Soltanieh, reiterated his president’s sentiments; He called the IAEA findings “unbalanced, nonprofessional and politically-motivated,” and blamed IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano for a “historical mistake”. Soltanieh also said Iran would continue to honor the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Political Analysts believe the US and Israel will use the IAEA report to push for tougher sanctions against Tehran.
