TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s hard-line president criticized as "disgraceful” a 2003 deal his predecessor reached with Europe to freeze the country’s nuclear program, saying his defiance of the West restored Iran’s dignity.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been touting Iran’s nuclear achievements ahead of the June presidential election, hoping to offset criticism from his opponents that he has spent too much time slamming the West and not enough focused on the country’s economy.
Former President Mohammad Khatami, a reformist who favors improving ties with the West, struck a deal with Britain, France and Germany in October 2003 to suspend uranium enrichment and give the U.N. nuclear watchdog unrestricted access to nuclear facilities.
The deal, which was signed at Sa’adabad Palace in Tehran, was aimed at easing Western fears that Iran was seeking to build nuclear weapons — a charge Tehran has denied. Iran tested a new missile in Semnan on Wednesday capable of striking Israel, U.S. Mideast bases and parts of Europe. The launch that also burnished Ahmadinejad’s reputation.
The Obama administration has stepped up diplomatic efforts but has received a mixed response.
by the associated press
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