Ahmadinejad dismisses Western threats against Iran

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday expressed contempt for threats from the world's major powers over Iran's nuclear program. "They say all options are on the table. Alright, let them be on the table until these options and you (the world powers) rot," Ahmadinejad said in a speech delivered in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran.

The president was referring to warnings, including military threats, aimed at pushing Iran into making compromises over its controversial nuclear program.

"All these threats are purely a psychological war, as the country's economy is strong, so is the people's will... The government will eventually prevail over all problems," the president said in the speech carried by state television.

He added that the world powers were bent on revenge on the Iranian nation for its resistance and technological progress but all these threats would eventually turn out to be futile. Ahmadinejad added that if the powers wanted a settlement of the nuclear dispute, they should abandon their threats and rather respect Iran's legitimate rights. Iran is accused of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program.

Tehran rejects this, saying all its nuclear programs are purely for peaceful purposes.