Tensions over Iran's nuclear intentions rose sharply in the past week, after Iran, over the objections of Germany, France, Britain, the European Union and the United States, removed atomic energy agency seals from uranium enrichment equipment at the Natanz nuclear plant. On Saturday, Mr. Ahmadinejad would not say whether the resumed research would include small-scale uranium enrichment, a step in the production of nuclear fuel for an energy plant, or, as part of a more complex process, in the creation of a nuclear bomb.
On Thursday, the Europeans said their negotiations with Tehran, which included a range of incentives to end all nuclear activities, had ended. On Friday, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, met with President Bush in Washington and promised to step up pressure on Iran.
The same day, the Iranian foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, said the his government was obliged by law to bar international inspectors from its nuclear sites if its case was referred to the Security Council. The law, passed recently by Parliament, requires that, in the case of referral, the government end voluntary measures of compliance with the atomic energy agency.
"Now it is time for the Western countries to build confidence and prove to us that they will allow our people to achieve scientific progress," Mr. Ahmadinejad said Saturday. "Despite their own scientific and technological development, these countries have a medieval mind set. They tell us that we do not have the right to scientific progress. This kind of language has expired."
Mr. Ahmadinejad also addressed his recent comments about Israel on Saturday. Last month, he described Israel as a "disgraceful blot" that should be destroyed. He said his earlier comment had been misquoted. "There is no new policy," he said. "They created a lot of hue and cry over that." He added, "It is clear what we say: Let the Palestinians participate in free elections and they will say what they want."
Map highlighting Iran
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke out in a rare news conference on Saturday against statements made by Europe and the United States, saying that if any country refers it to the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear program, that it will end their voluntary compliance with surprise inspections and other nuclear cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the IAEA. He also warned that Europe will lose the chance of reconciliation if it pursues sanctions.

President Ahmadinejad said that even if Iran is referred to the Security Council for possible sanctions, the action would still not stop its nuclear program. "They keep on threatening us that we have to either accept what they say or they will send us to the Security Council," President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said during a news conference in the Iranian capital of .

Iran's statements came as Europe and the U.S. began to build support for reporting Iran to the U.N. Security Council. However, China has been cautious and has warned the move could only escalate the confrontation.

Meanwhile, President George W. Bush, and Chancellor Angela Merkel, urged U.N. intervention. "The world needs to send a common message to Iran that their behavior...is unacceptable," Bush said.

The U.S. and Europe continue to have growing concerns that Iran is trying to produce nuclear weapons.

On Tuesday, Britain, France and Germany issued a statement declaring that 2 1/2 years of tense negotiations with Tehran were a "dead end" and urged the U.N. Security Council to intervene.
The U.N. Security Council
Iranian Foreign Minister, Manoucher Mouttaki, said to the press yesterday that "the West will bear the consequences if Iran is sent to the Council. Iran does not need to have permission from any country. It is our legal right to have nuclear energy."

In response the Bush administration, along with Chancellor Angela Merkel, said that they "cannot allow countries such as Iran to blackmail peace-loving countries like themselves."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that his "country does not need nuclear weapons. They are needed only by people who want to solve everything through the use of force." He then went on to say, "Leaders who believe they can create peace for themselves by creating war for others are mistaken."

Tehran has always said it has the right under Article VI of the  — which the nation has signed but not ratified — to research nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.