"At present, Iran stands 17th in the world in steel (production)," Dr.Ahmadinejad said, addressing Sirjan Steel Company officials and workers in Southeastern Kerman province today.

He stressed that Iran possesses abundant mines which have not been explored or extracted yet, and said, "This country enjoys ample manpower and wealth and if we move on this path (of relying on our own man power and resources), no power can never, ever knock us out."

In its latest report, the World Steel Association named Iran the second-largest steel producer in the Middle East after Turkey. Iran's primary steel mills currently are located in Isfahan and Khuzestan provinces, but the country is working to increase steel hub locations.