TEHRAN — Iran’s president said Monday that he is proud to stoke international outrage with his latest remarks denying the Holocaust as he heads for the United Nations this week — showing he is as defiant as ever while his country comes under greater pressure to curtail its nuclear program.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad takes the world stage with a speech Wednesday to the U.N. General Assembly. He appears intent on showing he has not been weakened by three months of turmoil at home, where the pro-reform opposition has staged dramatic protests claiming Ahmadinejad’s victory in June presidential elections was fraudulent.
Ahmadinejad has a reason to try to present his government as strong: On Oct. 1, Iran is to enter key negotiations with the United States and other powers seeking concessions on Iran’s nuclear program.
The U.S. and its allies suspect Iran is secretly pursuing a nuclear weapon. Iran denies the accusations, saying it only aims to generate electricity.
Heading into the talks, Iran has firmly rejected demands it give up uranium enrichment, a process that can produce either fuel for a nuclear reactor or a warhead. And it doesn’t want the talks to focus on the nuclear issue at all. But U.S. and European officials warn that if no progress is made in talks, they will push for tougher U.N. sanctions against Iran.
