Iran Threatens with Harm and Pain

A key meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency opened on Wednesday with harsh words from both sides. "The U.S. may have the power to cause harm and pain, but it is also susceptible to harm and pain," declared Javad Vaeidi, Iran's chief delegate to the agency.

U.S. officials warned Iran of "meaningful consequences" if it does not give up the international confrontation over the nuclear fuel which could be used for weapons
"If the U.S. wishes to choose that path, let the ball roll," Vaeidi responded.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated during a visit in one of Iran's provinces: "The people of Iran will not accept coercion and unjust decisions by international organizations. Enemies cannot force the Iranian people to relinquish their rights. The era of bullying and brutality is over."

European states, alongside the U.S., want Iran to give up its uranium enriching scheme since the technology could be used to develop nuclear fuel or a nuclear bomb.

Iran still rejects this demand, saying that, according to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, it has the right to enrich uranium for the production of nuclear fuels. Vaeidi's comments raised concerns that the world's second oil producer could restrict exports. "Iran has no intention whatsoever of reducing its oil exports," stated Iran's petroleum minister, Sayed Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh, reassuring officials who fear a drastic change in the oil market.