Iran planning 'major' nuclear announcement

TEHRAN, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Saturday the country would unveil "major achievements in the nuclear domain."

Ahmadinejad did not provide specifics during the announcement at a Tehran rally marking the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, CNN reported.

But in the announcement, broadcast on Iran's state-run Press TV, he said Iran would never halt its program to enrich uranium, which can be used to make a nuclear warhead, the BBC reported.

"Today, you see that the Iranian nation has become nuclear and can supply many of its demands," he said. "And God-willing, in next few days, the whole world will witness the inauguration of several major achievements in the nuclear domain."

His comments come amid increasing concern among the United States and other Western countries that Iran is working to develop nuclear weapons, though Tehran has said its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

Ahmadinejad took on a defiant tone toward Western countries, which have tightened sanctions and are among six countries that have been involved in stalled talks on the Iran's nuclear program.

"They say that they want to talk to us," he said. "We have always been ready for talks. Well, they should be within the framework of justice and respect."

Talks between Iran and the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China collapsed a year ago.

Speaking directly to Western countries, Ahmadinejad said, "I clearly declare that if you use the language of force and insult, the Iranian nation will never yield to you."

Tehran, responding to the sanctions, has threatened to block oil transport through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in November it has evidence the country has conducted weapons-related research.