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Iranian president blames US for market collapse
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-23 22:26

UNITED NATIONS -- Iran's president blamed US military interventions around the world in part for the collapse of global financial markets and said the campaign against his country's nuclear program was solely due to the Bush administration "and a couple of their European friends."


Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves to photographers at UN headquarters in New York, ahead of the annual General Assembly. Ahmadinejad justified his policy of confronting the West by saying US troops are surrounding Iran. [Agencies] 
The interviews of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, before his speech to the United Nations on Tuesday, came after the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that he could not determine whether Iran is hiding some nuclear activities.

Last year, thousands rallied at the United Nations to protest Ahmadinejad's speech. When Ahmadinejad was ushered to the podium of the General Assembly to speak, the US delegation walked out, leaving only a low-ranking note-taker to listen to his speech.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Ahmadinejad said the collapse of global financial markets was due in large part to US military interventions abroad.

"Problems do not arise suddenly," he said. "The US government has made a series of mistakes in the past few decades. The imposition on the US economy of the years of heavy military engagement and involvement around the world . . . the war in Iraq, for example. These are heavy costs imposed on the US economy.

"The world economy can no longer tolerate the budgetary deficit and the financial pressures occurring from markets here in the United States, and by the US government," he added.

In a separate interview with National Public Radio, Ahmadinejad said he does not want confrontation with the United States. He said he wants diplomatic relations to develop between the two countries and was willing, for example, to cooperate on upholding security in Iraq.

"We do not have confrontations with anyone," he said. "The US administration interferes, and we defend ourselves."

Despite UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, Ahmadinejad claimed vast international support for his position and said the campaign consisted "of only three or four countries, led by the United States and with a couple of their European friends."

The Iranian leader warned over the weekend that the military would strike back against anyone targeting his country's nuclear facilities.

"If anyone allows himself to commit even a tiny offense against Iran's legitimate interests, borders and sacred land, our armed forces will break his hand before he pulls the trigger," Ahmadinejad said during a military parade Sunday.

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