President Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a press conference with domestic and foreign reporters.



In response to the question posed by Press TV reporter on Iraq's new proposal to develop a regional security pact, he said Tehran welcomes any offer for restoration of peace in the region.



On a report released by US intelligence on civilian nature of Iran's nuclear activities, he said, "The report is regarded as a step forward and we take it as positive."

"If they take one or two other steps forward, the situation would be significantly different," he said.



Iran's nuclear activities are peaceful and there is no deviation, the president said citing the clean health bill Iran got from the International Atomic Energy Agency on November 15.



The recent report by US intelligence community on peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities and the report issued by IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei proves that there is no ambiguity in Iranian program but there is certain country which tries to cast doubt. Iran does not heed further questions, he said.



Iranian nation advocates peace, brotherhood, friendship, security and stability in the world and respect to human dignity.



"We seek relations with all nations except the Zionist regime which is an illegitimate regime," he said.



"Unfortunately, we are now witnessing that a certain country is trampling upon the rights of humanity and this is main concern of Iranian nation," said the president.



It is time for all politicians and intellectuals to respect the world public opinions and help promote justice in the international community, he said.





Ahmadinejad: Iranian nation capable enough to defend itself



President said the powerful Iranian nation is capable enough to defend itself.

 

On recent threats of the Zionist regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the said the country does not feel threatened by the Zionist regime.



On a possible attack by the Zionist regime and its threats against the countries of the region, he said, "We have repeatedly announced that the foundation of the Zionist regime is based on threat and aggression on its neighbors and regional countries." "We have time and again announced the solution to this dilemma," he underlined.





President describes Qatar summit as very positive



 Ahmadinejad described the recent Persian Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Qatar as very positive and constructive.



 He advised the critics to abandon pessimistic approaches and be realistic.



Iran shares common interests and historical commonalties with the countries of the region, pointed out the president.



The president underlined that the Qatari emir had invited him to attend the PGCC summit which he said was held under a friendly atmosphere.



He also called the PGCC declaration as positive and in line with expansion of cooperation among the regional countries.



The PGCC also welcomed the proposals put forward by the Iranian president on promotion of peace and security in the region.





President says NIE report contains baseless points about past



President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran welcomed report of the US National Intelligence Estimates (NIE), describing it a step forward, but, it does not mean that the report was free from defects or baseless points.



The president was referring to the allegation in the report that Iran had weapons program until 2003.



Reporter of an Arabic language TV asked whether a banner over the head bearing the statement that "the dawn is ahead" is a message to the US government, the president looked overhead and said "you see it is emblem of holy Mecca, Saudi Arabia."

In the beginning of the press conference "I said that development is taking place in the human community and that the humanity is coming to God, justice and piety."

"We believe the savior of the humanity will come from holy Kaaba, Mecca and that the banner is a reference to the time when justice will prevail over the world."

Al-Jazeera report asked about US Defense Secretary Robert Gates lobbying with the Arab states of the Persian Gulf to establish a missile defense shield, and his attempts to disrupt Iranian ties with the Arab states in a conference held in Manama, Bahrain, last week.



The president said Iran is advancing its own initiative to develop cooperation with the neighboring states and the US is also is doing its own job.



The proposals Iran put forward to the Arab states of the Persian Gulf are constructive and will be effective in developing economic, cultural, scientific and social cooperation.



Responding to a question that the NIE report acknowledging civilian nature of Iranian nuclear program was the first step forward on the part of the US and what the next step would be, he said that the next step would be to put an end to the baseless allegations against Iranian nuclear program.





President: IAEA reports removed all ambiguities

 

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the reports released by International Atomic Energy Agency (on November 15) removed the ambiguity about Iranian nuclear program.



He told a press conference in Tehran that with the US intelligence report on Iran, there is no room for any ambiguities and now the ground is well-prepared to proceed with constructive cooperation with the UN nuclear agency.



Although the IAEA and the US intelligence have released reports acknowledging Iran's peaceful nuclear activities but certain member of the group 5+1 try to draft another UNSC resolution against Iran, said a reporter adding what Iran's reaction will be?

The president said the report issued by US intelligence community put seal of approval of on civilian nature of Iran's nuclear activities.



"Generally, we assess the move as 'positive' and believe that if they take another one or two steps forward, the situation would become different and the ground for resolve of regional conflicts will be well prepared."

On US objection to recent oil contract between Iran and China and the current level of ties between Tehran and Beijing, he said the US opposition is quite natural and "we do not heed them."

"We pay no attention to such views and we are confident in pursuing our path," underlined the president.



Existing ties between Iran and China is friendly and constructive, pointed out the president.



Trade between Iran and China excluding investment projects will hit over dlrs 20 billion a year, he said.



Iran and China agreed to increase current level of trade exchange to its maximum, said the president.





President: We have no problems in upgrading ties with Britain



President said on Tuesday that Iran has no problem in upgrading ties with Britain.



He was responding to a question by BBC network on Iran's relations with US and Britain at a press conference attended by domestic and foreign reporters.



There are some minor differences between Iran and Britain because the latter pursues the policies of a third party, said the president.



"If UK adopts an independent stance on Iran, there would be no major problems in expanding ties between the two sides," he said.



Iranians are of peaceful nature and have never initiated any conflict or aggression and is determined to have friendly ties with all counties except the occupying Zionist regime, said President Ahmadinejad.



"If others care to amend their attitude towards Iran, there would be no problems remaining to hinder expansion of ties," he said.



"We never welcome heightening of tensions or discords and have always welcomed all sincere steps to this end."





President says would visit Egypt after diplomatic ties resumed



 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he would accept an invitation to visit Egypt if Tehran-Cairo diplomatic ties resumed.



The president made the remarks in response to a reporter who asked him at the end of his press conference if he would accept an invitation to visit Egypt.

"Iran and Egypt are two brotherly nations," stressed the president.



Commenting on the recent exchange of visits by Egyptian and Iranian delegations, President Ahmadinejad said such visits have always been taking place between the two capitals.



"I proposed a few months ago in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that we were ready for resumption of ties if Cairo accepted which was welcomed by the Egyptian side," the president stressed.



Noting that Tehran and Cairo enjoyed cultural and economic relations, he said only political ties were cut between the two countries.



"I hope that political ties will also be reestablished to pave the grounds for massive cooperation," the president stressed.

President, Dec 11, IRNA