Iran is determined to proceed with its nuclear programme despite international concern, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has insisted, the state news agency IRNA reported Monday.
"The Islamic republic will continue on the reasonable path which will result in the peaceful use of nuclear energy without concerning itself about all this fuss and bother," Khamenei told Iranian ambassadors at a meeting in Tehran Sunday, the agency said. Khamenei, without whose approval no official decision can be taken, stressed the need for Iran to convince the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its intentions as the UN body has been investigating Iran's nuclear programme for more than a year.
"But the means of winning their confidence must be based on reason," he added.
He also recalled the outraged reaction in the West to the news that Iran was to resume manufacturing of parts for centrifuges to enrich uranium, underlining that such production "does not contravene any (international) agreement".