Ahmadinejad: No more nuclear concessions

TEHRAN, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday there would be no more compromises made in Iran's nuclear program.

Speaking from Ardebil in a nationally televised address, the president repeated his frequent claim the country has a sovereign right to a domestic nuclear energy program, Alalam Satellite TV reported.

"As far as we are concerned, the nuclear issue is closed," he said. "We already possess nuclear technology, the International Atomic Energy Agency is supervising our programs and we are ready to hold fair talks with the West over our projects."

Ahmadinejad made direct reference to the United States and Israel's opposition to the program and warned of consequences if military intervention was used against Iran.

"I herewith announce that the Iranian nation will not make even the slightest compromise over its nuclear programs," he said. "The U.S. government should know that our people, especially the youth, are like a volcano and no country could resist (the) waves the U.S. would face."

There are international concerns Iran's uranium enrichment would be used to produce nuclear weapons, although China and Russia have blocked U.N. efforts to step up sanctions against Tehran.