Rafsanjani blasts 'bully' West over nuclear programme

Iran’s nuclear programme will not be impeded by any sanctions or action the West may take, former President Hashemi Rafsanjani said today.

His comments came a day after the country provoked an international outcry by breaking UN seals and resuming research at a uranium enrichment plant.

Delivering Iran’s first reply to the chorus of protests, Rafsanjani, who heads the powerful Expediency Council, said he was “astonished” by the West’s attempt to “bully” Iran.

In a speech to mark the imminent end of the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Rafsanjani accused the West of trying to limit the progress of the developing world.

“Keeping the Third World and the Islamic world several steps behind has been the West’s traditional colonial policy,” he said in remarks broadcast live on state television.

“Even if (the Westerners) destroy our scientists, their successors would continue the job,” he said.

Warning the West against trying to curb Iran, he said: “If they cause any disturbance, they will ultimately regret it.”