Addressing a meeting to honor exemplary retired employees, the President said anyone who tried to obstruct the progress of the Iranian nation would be “smashed” by Iranians and with the help of God.

Referring to the atrocities of Iraq's toppled dictator Saddam Hussein during the eight years of imposed war against Iran, President Ahmadinejad said, “Today, Saddam Hussein is the history while the Iranian nation is still standing up firmly and with steadfastness.”