Iran sets terms to end uranium enrichment

Addressing a packed press conference in New York on Friday, Ahmadinejad also said Iran was prepared to set a date for resumption of talks with six world powers to discuss its nuclear programme, saying October would be the likely time for the two sides to meet.

Ahmadinejad also defended his remarks at the UN in which he claimed most people in the world believe the United States was behind the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and again challenged the United Nations to set up a commission to probe the attacks. “I did not pass judgment, but don’t you feel that the time has come to have a fact finding committee?”

Ahmadinejad said Iran had no interest in enriching uranium from around 3.5 per cent to 20 per cent purity but was forced to do so after the world powers refused to provide nuclear fuel that is needed for a Tehran reactor that produces medical isotopes for patients. That level is far below the more than 90 per cent purity needed to build a nuclear weapon.