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Iran ready for sanctions: president

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-03 20:18

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks to lawmakers at the Iranian parliament in Tehran September 3, 2009. [Agencies]

TEHRAN: Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Thursday said his country welcomes sanctions and "We can manage ourselves."

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"No one can pose sanctions on us. We certainly welcome sanctions. We can manage ourselves. We have offered our package of proposals." Ahmadinejad said at a press conference when asked about the potential sanctions by western countries over its nuclear program.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi Tuesday said sanctions will not affect Iran's legal nuclear claim.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili also said Tuesday that Iran is ready to initiate the new round of talks with France, Britain, Russia, China and the United States, plus Germany (G5+1).

The six countries met in Germany on Wednesday to further discuss Iran's nuclear program.

The United States and other Western countries claim that Iran intends to secretly develop nuclear weapons. The UN Security Council also requires Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activity.

Iran, however, insists its nuclear plan is only for peaceful purposes, vowing to continue its uranium enrichment activity despite pressure and sanctions from Western countries.