Ahmadinejad: Nuclear Issue is Closed

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Addressing UN General Assembly

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the UN General Assembly this afternoon that Iran’s nuclear program is a “closed” matter.

"I officially announce that in our opinion the nuclear issue of Iran is now closed and has turned into an ordinary Agency matter," Ahmadinejad said.

Ahmadinejad assailed UN Security Council for ignoring Iran’s nuclear rights. He thanked IAEA chief Mohammad ElBaradei for his attempts to resolve the nuclear standoff.

Ahmadinejad reserved his harshest remarks, however, for Israel and the West.

"For more than 60 years, the Palestinians have been under occupation by the illegal Zionist regime," Ahmadinejad said. Palestine will be freed and Zionism will disappear, he added.

He attacked the “arrogant powers” in the West and invited their leaders to seek God and goodness.

The US delegation was absent during the speech.