Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that his country will continue with its nuclear program, despite international concerns over it.
Ahmadinejad's remarks were the first since a UN-backed draft was put forth aimed at easing tensions with the West.
Iran is to respond to the proposal this week. The plan envisages Teheran sending out most of uranium abroad for enrichment, which would reduce its stockpile and limit any nuclear arms making capability.
Ahmadinejad lashed out at Israel, which is believed to have nuclear weapons. He said when an "illegal regime has atomic weapons, it's impossible to block others" from having peaceful nuclear energy.
The remarks were made as UN inspectors are visiting a formerly secret uranium enrichment site in Iran.
