A defiant Iranian president has condemned the UN Security Council as lacking any legitimacy as the body prepares a second package of sanctions over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying on Thursday that Iran would not shelve its nuclear programmes.
He also said that a Security Council resolution could not stop the Islamic state from obtaining nuclear technology.
"Today the enemies of the Iranian people are seeking to use the Security Council to prevent the progress and development of Iran," Ahmadinejad said.
"But the Security Council has no legitimacy among the peoples of the world," he told a rally in the central Yazd province.
The punitive measures under discussion by the five permanent Security Council members, Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany, involve an arms embargo as well as some financial and trade restrictions that build on the first sanctions imposed in December.
"What is the aim of issuing such resolutions? Today we are mastering the nuclear fuel cycle completely," Ahmadinejad said.
"If all of you [Westerners] get together and call your ancestors from hell as well, you will not be able to stop the Iranian nation."
Western nations suspect Iran's nuclear programme is a cover for efforts to make atomic weapons, a charge Tehran denies.
Washington says it wants a diplomatic solution, but has not ruled out military action.
Sanctions deal reached
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"It is stubbornness and pride on Iran's part that has led to this impasse, and it can only lead to disaster for Iran"
Diom1982, Cork, Ireland
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Diplomats at the United Nations representing the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China have reached a tentative deal on imposing sanctions on Iran they hope to introduce to the Security Council on Thursday, providing their governments agree.
The measure, which may be adopted next week, would penalise Tehran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment, which can be used in nuclear bombs or in civilian power stations.
Ahmadinejad said imposing sanctions on Iran would have the opposite result.
"You sanctioned us in the past but we obtained the nuclear technology. Impose economic sanctions on us today and see what would be our next step," Ahmadinejad said.