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Iran unites on nuclear programme

Atul Aneja

Meaningful consequences: U.S.

DUBAI: Iran is digging its heels after its nuclear file on Wednesday was transferred from the IAEA to the powerful United Nations Security Council.

Responding to the development, which can result in the imposition of economic sanctions, Iran has taken three concrete steps. It has stepped up the rhetoric against U.S. On Wednesday, its representative at the IAEA meet Javad Vaidi said, "The United States may have the power to cause harm and pain but it is also susceptible to harm and pain." The comments came after the U.S. representative Gregory Schulte threatened Iran with "consequences" unless it changed its nuclear policy.

Earlier, U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney had warned Iran that it would face "meaningful consequences," if it did not stop its alleged pursuit of atomic weapons. A day after the U.S. and Iran sparred at the IAEA, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad has declared that that his country would not be bullied into submission. "The time for bullying is over. The Iranian people are not bullies and will not be bullied," he said.

"Some powers think that if they sit in a session, they can force the Iranian people to retreat. But all the Iranian nation, young or old, urban dweller or villager and farmer or factory worker are all saying one thing: nuclear energy is our undeniable right." Second, Iran has stressed that it would not budge from conducting uranium enrichment for research purposes. It would keep the option for negotiations open. Third, authorities have been making efforts to present a unified stand. The 86-member council of experts, which selects the Supreme leader, has met in Teheran. In a statement, this forum of senior clerics said, "The Iranian nation is determined to guard this great national asset with all its power, and if the aggressors do not stop their interference to the undeniable right to our nation, they will pay a heavy price."

The former President, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who lost to Mr. Ahmedinejad in last year's Presidential elections also called for unity. Analysts point out that the people in Iran were united on having a right to nuclear technology.

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