In his first press conference since his election, Iran’s President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad was clear on his future relations with the U.S.: “Iran is a powerful country, which walks the path of progress and development; we don’t need the United States.”
Ahmadi Nejad won the second round of the elections with 61 percent of the votes. He is considered a hard-liner and a close associate of spiritual leader Ahmad Khamai. “My mission is creating a role model of a modern, advanced, powerful and Islamic society,” said Ahmadi Nejad.
Addressing Iran’s relations with the European Union, Ahmadi Nejad said he is committed to continue the cooperation with the European Union, for the benefit of the Iranian people. The president-elect said, however, that Iran has a right to benefit from nuclear power, and that he will not order the cessation of work on the nuclear power plant.