Ahmadinejad: Iran Not Walking Toward War
Iranian Leader Tells Scott Pelley His Country Does Not Need Nuclear Weapons
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Play CBS Video Video The World Trade Center Part 1: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tells Scott Pelley his proposed visit to ground zero was intended as a way to pay respect and wonders how his visit would be insulting.
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Video Iranian Weapons In Iraq Part 2: Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denies claims Iranian weapons are being used against American soldiers in Iraq, saying, "If they accuse us 1,000 times, the truth will not change."
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Video Iran And The War In Iraq Part 3: Saying Iran is very much "opposed to war," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad maintains there are no Iranian forces in Iraq but says his country is doing everything in their power to provide security.
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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking with 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley in Tehran, on Sept. 20, 2007. (CBS)
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Photo Essay Mahmoud Ahmadinejad The outspoken Iranian president is one of the most controversial figures on the international stage.
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Timeline The U.S. And Iran Key events in once friendly, now contentious relationship between Washington and Tehran.
In the past, Ahmadinejad has said Iran has 3,000 centrifuges in a line producing highly-enriched uranium. Does Iran have more now?
"No. Our plan and program is very transparent. We are under the supervision of the Agency. Everything is on the table," Ahmadinejad said. "We have nothing to hide."
"It's been hidden for more than 15 years. You've been operating a secret nuclear program. It's nothing-if it's not secret," Pelley remarked.
"Who is saying that?" the president asked.
"Well, the IAEA. You've, in fact, agreed with the IAEA to confess what you've done in secret over the past years. It is not transparent, sir," Pelley pointed out.
"The Agency is supposed to supervise and ask questions and we respond," Ahmadinejad said. "And our activities are very peaceful."
"For the sake of clarity, because there is so much concern in the world about this next question, please give me the most direct answer you can. Is it your goal to build a nuclear bomb?" Pelley asked.
"What are you driving at?" the president replied.
"Simply that, sir. Is it the goal of your government, the goal of this nation to build a nuclear weapon?" Pelley asked.
"What do you think that the nuclear technology is only limited in a bomb? You can only build a bomb with that?" Ahmadinejad said.
"I appreciate the differences, sir," Pelley said. "But the question is limited to the bomb."
"Well, you have to appreciate we don't need a nuclear bomb. We don't need that. What needs do we have for a bomb?" the president replied.
"May I take that as a 'No,' sir?" Pelley asked.
"It is a firm 'No.' I’m going to be much firmer now, in political relations right now, the nuclear bomb is of no use; if it was useful it would have prevented the downfall of the Soviet Union; if it was useful it would resolved the problem the Americans have in Iraq," Ahmadinejad said. "The time of the bomb is passed."
"At the moment, our two countries may very well be walking down the road to war. How do you convince President Bush, how do you convince other nations in the West…," Pelley said.
"What two parties are walking towards war?" the president asked.
"Iran, the United States, Western countries," Pelley said.
"Well, it's wrong to think that Iran and the U.S. are walking towards war. Who says so? Why should we go to war?" Ahmadinejad asked. "There is no war in the offing. Again, this is psychological warfare if you have difference of opinion you can use logic to resolve your differences."
Produced By Robert Anderson and Casey Morgan
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