Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution: Iran Should Have Launched N. Efforts Long Ago

TEHRAN (FNA) Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said in the central city of Yazd on Thursday that Iran should have launched nuclear efforts several decades ago to meet the growing need to electricity.

Addressing a large and fervent crowd of people who had come to welcome him, the Leader said that Iran needs to produce 20,000 megawatts electricity in the next 20 years from nuclear energy to keep up with growing demand and the economic development plans.

The Leader said that thanks God the US had failed to get in the way of Iranians’ civilian nuclear program.

The Leader said that once Americans could not see Iran have even five centrifuges and demanded Iran stop its national nuclear program, but they have currently called for Iran to stay at the same stage it stands.

Recalling the US attempts to deal a blow at Iran, the Leader noted that national self-confidence is more needed than ever, particularly students, the learned and officials should envisage new methods to foil conspiracies of the enemies.

He said that the enemy had resorted to escalate disappointment, mislead the learned and military threat as three means to undermine self-confidence of Iranians, but to no avail.

The Leader said that Iranian nation recognizes realities, appreciates youth capabilities and relies on its own successful experiences during the recent three decades to go ahead with progress.

The Supreme Leader ruled out US President Bush’s suggestion that Russian fuel supplies to Iran satisfies Tehran’s needs to enriched uranium and that the Islamic Republic show give up its nuclear fuel production activities, saying that it is just like telling a country with oil reserves to import oil from other countries.

Elsewhere in his address, the Leader said that Iran does not need relations with the US, but it does not mean that Iran wants the severed relations forever.

“Whenever, we see that relations with the US will serve Iranian interest, I will be the first to confirm ties with US,” Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated.