TEHRAN — President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad struck a defiant tone Monday on the 29th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, vowing not to slow Iran’s nuclear program and announcing plans to launch more rockets into space as part of its drive to orbit a domestic satellite.
As with its nuclear activities, Iran’s space program has provoked unease abroad because the technology to send satellites into space can be used to deliver warheads.
Ahmadinejad rallied Iranians against U.N. Security Council demands that Iran stop enriching uranium.
“I ask the people’s view. Would you agree if I . . . gave in, surrendered or compromised over the nuclear issue? Would you agree to give up one iota of your nuclear rights?” Ahmadinejad asked a crowd in the capital. The crowd chanted in response: “No!” and “Nuclear energy is our definite right.”
