'Israel hopes nuclear issue remains unresolved'

Ahmadinejad says "uncultured Zionists, Western interests intentionally perpetuating global controversy around Iran's nuclear program."

By ASSOCIATED PRESS, JPOST.COM STAFF
Ahmadinejad wants YOU 311 AP (photo credit: AP)
Ahmadinejad wants YOU 311 AP
(photo credit: AP)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday that Israel and other Western nations are intentionally perpetuating global controversy around Iran’s nuclear program, Reuters reported.
Following an uneventful round of P5+1 talks in Istanbul, Ahmadinejad said that “Uncultured Zionists and some people in America and Europe are hopeful the issues remain unresolved,” according to the report.
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Ahmadinejad did say, however that he expects positive results from further sessions of nuclear talks with the world powers.
Speaking in a provincial visit broadcast live on state TV, Ahmadinejad said that if the world powers are just, “a good agreement will be concluded in further sessions.” He added that there had been no expectations that the disputes would be settled after just a few sessions.
“We never expected the problems to be solved in two to three or four to five rounds, but if the other party is decisive, committed to justice and the law and respect, there is a hope that good results will come from further rounds of the talks,” he said.
The remarks are the president’s first following the Istanbul talks Friday and Saturday, which failed after Iran declared it would not even consider freezing uranium enrichment, the key concern of the discussions.
Throughout two days of hectic meetings, Iran pushed demands it must have known were unacceptable to the six – a lifting of sanctions and acceptance of its enrichment program – before any further discussion of its nuclear activities.
Low-enriched uranium – at around 3.5 percent – can be used to fuel a reactor to generate electricity, which Iran says is the intention of its program.
But if uranium is further enriched to around 90% purity, it can be used to develop a nuclear warhead.
Ahmadinejad’s latest demand appeared to be recognition of Iran’s nuclear program by the world powers. He reiterated that Iran would resist any bullying policy and not back down on its nuclear drive.