Posted on 05/12/2006 4:25:45 AM PDT by Flavius
Jakarta - Iran's president said on Friday his country was not afraid of US military action over its uranium enrichment programme, but added that he thought any such strikes were very unlikely.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also told an Indonesian TV station Iran would co-operate with the UN Security Council if it makes a decision on the escalating stand-off, as long as the world body acts "in line with international rules".
Ahmadinejad's remarks on possible US military action were made in a dialogue with Indonesian Islamic leaders.
Asked whether his country was prepared to face an attack by the United States, he said "that is very unlikely because they know the Islamic Republic of Iran is a strong country".
"They are trying to frighten our country by waging a propaganda campaign using strong words. The people of Iran and the country are not afraid of them," he said to applause from the audience.
The US is leading an international campaign to get Iran to open its nuclear programme to international inspections, saying it fears the Middle Eastern country is developing nuclear weapons - a charge Iran denies.
Enemies of Islam
While Washington has said it favours a diplomatic end to the dispute, it hasn't ruled out military force, and is behind a charge at the United Nations for economic sanctions to be brought down on Iran.
One member of the 30-strong audience urged Ahmadinejad to go ahead and develop nuclear weapons, saying the "enemies of Islam" also had them.
The Iranian leader did not reply directly, but quipped that "every young man in the Islamic world is an atomic bomb because they have faith, God, and love the character of the Prophet Muhammad".
This week, key UN Security Council members agreed to postpone a resolution that would have delivered an ultimatum to Tehran, giving Iran another two weeks to re-evaluate its insistence on developing its uranium enrichment capabilities.
If Tehran refuses to co-operate, it could set the stage for measures ranging from breaking diplomatic relations to economic sanctions and military action.
Will co-operate with UN
In a TV interview broadcast on Friday, Ahmadinejad suggested he might co-operate with the security council.
"If the UN Security Council takes a decision that is in line with international rules, takes a decision that is legal, we will co-operate," he said in an interview with SCTV television station.
"But if not, we will ignore it." He did not elaborate.
Ahmadinejad, known for his fiery rhetoric, has become a pariah in the West.
But he has received a warm welcome during his three-day visit to Indonesia, where his willingness to criticise the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - seen by many here as attacks on Islam - his outspoken criticism of Israel, and his refusal to stand down to international pressure on the nuclear dispute resonates with many of its young people.
"Enemies of Islam" = islam breeds enemies
72 "vuhgins" do wonders.
Considering that we didn't use our full military might in either Afghanistan or Iraq, it's no wonder Ahma-whackjob isn't "afraid" of us.
With so much civilian PC-crap controlling what the brave US Military does and doesn't do, the int'l respect level seems to have dropped precipitiously, even amongst our so-called allies.
"and crude prices rose $2.00 on the comments."
pretty much nailed it there
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that there will be no ground attack on Iran. Stinky's problems will come from the air, economically, and covertly.
They say they aren't afraid, but ask them is they remember "Shock and Awe".
Iran 'not afraid of US attack'
Neither was Hitler.
Yes you are you little chimp.
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