WORLD> Middle East
President: Iran not to bow to big powers
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-26 21:11

TEHRAN - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic will not bow to big powers, the English-language satellite channel Press TV reported.

"Iran's resolve is based on dialogue and interaction in a rational and fair atmosphere," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying during an address at the inauguration of car manufacturing "Iran Khodro" Khorasan assembly in the northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi.

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Iran will not yield to disrespectful or insatiable demands of the world powers, Ahmadinejad said.

Iran has been a pioneer among nations in several fields, including industry, science and culture, he said, adding, "Two or three governments have thrown obstacles in the path of Iran's development."

He said the wrath of corrupt international powers stems from the resolve of the Iranian nation to maintain its prominent international position in various fields, adding that "The Iranian nation has no need of world powers. It is rather the world powers that need the Islamic Republic."

According to Press TV, with an investment of US$140 million, the car body and paint assembly lines at the Iran Khodro Khorasan (IKK) plant will produce 45 vehicles per hour. The production capacity of the plant will reach 100,000 vehicles a year by the end of the current Iranian year (ending on March 20, 2009.)