Iran won't bow to nuclear 'bullies': Ahmadinejad

He said Iran would not bow to Western "bullies" which already have nuclear arsenals.

"Those who have nuclear weapons and have used them in the worst way against people in the world, have no right to prevent nations from achieving peaceful nuclear energy," the ultra-conservative president told a cheering audience in the religious epicentre of Qom.

"Some of them lately have even gone so far as to say that the Iranian nation has no right to conduct nuclear research. All nations should know that if we give these bullies a chance, they will next say that you don't have the right to have universities."

Tehran on Tuesday announced plans to restart research for its "programme for peaceful nuclear energy" which was suspended two years ago, a move that prompted International Atomic Energy Agency director Mohamed ElBaradei to seek "clarifications".

A meeting was being held on the issue between IAEA officials and an Iranian delegation in Vienna on Thursday.

ElBaradei said on Tuesday that the IAEA's board of governors wanted Iran to refrain from activities linked to enrichment of uranium as a key confidence-building measure.

Ahamdinejad however stressed that Iran would master the technology "in the near future, to serve in medical, agricultural, industries and energy sectors, God willing."

The European Union and the United States fear Iran's civil nuclear programme is a cover for developing a bomb. Tehran denies the accusation, insisting its activities are designed solely to meet its electricity needs.

Both Berlin and Paris warned Tehran's announcement could delay future talks on the issue, which are due to resume in Austria on January 18.

The possible resumption of enrichment by Iran would be regarded by the West as a point of no return, triggering the implementation of a resolution could see Iran referred to the UN Security Council for possible sanctins.

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