Iran's president addressed the UN General Assembly Tuesday declaring that "the American empire" is nearing collapse and should end its military involvement in other countries.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said terrorism is spreading quickly in Afghanistan while "the occupiers" are still in Iraq nearly six years after Saddam Hussein was ousted from power in Iraq.
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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad listens to speakers during the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday September 23, 2008. [Agencies]
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"American empire in the world is reaching the end of its road, and its next rulers must limit their interference to their own borders," Ahmadinejad said.
He accused the US of starting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to win votes in elections and blamed a "few bullying powers" for trying to undermine Iran's nuclear program.
Ahmadinejad's hardline rhetoric came as no surprise and offered little in the way of compromise at the UN, where he faces a new round of sanctions if no agreement is reached on limiting Iran's nuclear capabilities.
While he reiterated that the country's nuclear program is purely peaceful, the US and others fear it is aimed at producing enriched uranium to make nuclear weapons.
Iran already is under three sets of sanctions by the UN Security Council for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment. Washington and its Western allies are pushing for quick passage of a fourth set of sanctions to underline the international community's resolve, but are likely to face opposition from Russia.
"A few bullying powers have sought to put hurdles in the way of the peaceful nuclear activities of the Iranian nation by exerting political and economic pressures against Iran," he said.
Ahmadinejad also lashed out at Israel on Tuesday, saying "the Zionist regime is on a definite slope to collapse, and there is no way for it to get out of the cesspool created by itself and its supporters."
