TEHRAN: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday that Iran’s military will “break the hand” of anyone targeting his country’s nuclear facilities.
The president spoke during a military parade displaying various types of Iranian-made missiles, including Shahab-3 and Ghadr. Also taking part in the parade was a military truck carrying a huge banner saying “Israel should be eliminated from the universe” in both English and Farsi.
“If anyone allows himself to commit even a tiny offense against Iran’s legitimate interests, borders and sacred land, our armed forces will break his hand before he pulls the trigger,” Ahmadinejad said during the parade.
The phrase “legitimate interests” is Iranian parlance for the country’s nuclear program, which the West says is a cover for developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which denies the charge, already is under three sets of sanctions by the UN Security Council over the issue.
Washington and its Western allies are pushing for quick passage of a fourth set of sanctions to underline the international community’s resolve. But Ahmadinejad said yesterday that sanctions only help Iran achieve self-sufficiency.
“Those who once imposed sanctions, today should open their eyes and see our nation’s technical achievements,” he said.
Both the US and its ally Israel say they support a diplomatic solution to the nuclear standoff with Iran but cannot rule out the military option.
“Today, Iran is not in a position to show softness toward its enemies,” said Ahmadinejad, but added that threats made against Iran’s nuclear facilities amounted to only “psychological warfare.”
