Iran's nuclear ambitions overshadow meeting

Iran’s deepening stand-off over its nuclear ambitions overshadowed trade talks between leaders of eight predominantly Muslim countries set for tomorrow, amid reports that the UN nuclear agency found new traces of weapons-grade uranium in Iran.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defended his nation’s right to use new technologies to meet his country’s growing energy needs before arriving on the resort island of Bali today for the Developing Eight summit.

He said he would not waver in his fight and was determined to pursue a uranium enrichment program which he stressed was also in the interests of the D-8 countries, who represent 14% of the world’s population.

Asked whether his country was prepared to face an attack by the United States, he said in the capital Jakarta “that is very unlikely because they know the Islamic Republic of Iran is a strong country.”

Ahmadinejad will meet tomorrow with heads of state from Nigeria, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan.