We don't want the bomb, Ahmadinejad says

TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The national defense policy for Iran does not include plans to develop a nuclear bomb, said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Ahmadinejad in a nationally televised interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting network said that nuclear weapons contradict the principles for the nation as outlined by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

"The leader has declared that we are ideologically opposed to (nuclear) bombs," the president said. "(Nuclear) bombs have no place in Iran's defense doctrine."

Ahmadinejad in a later address to supporters in the central province of Isfahan said his country would move forward with plans to enrich uranium to a level of 20 percent, Iran's Press TV reports.

Tehran walked away from a Western-backed deal to send most of its low-enriched uranium to Russia and France for further enrichment for a nuclear medicine program.

Ahmadinejad, following an announcement Iran would build 10 new nuclear plants, said his country would enrich its own uranium.

"God willing, Iran will produce (nuclear) fuel enriched to a level of 20 percent," he said.

A nuclear weapon requires enrichment to the level of 90 percent.