Iran to enrich uranium to higher level: Ahmadinejad

Iran says the UN nuclear watchdog resolution over its nuclear programs is "illegal". In a strong rejection to a UN backed deal, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran would enrich uranium without international assistance.

Under pressure, Iran's president says it will by no means stop its nuclear activities and will enhance it instead.

Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said, "I am announcing from here, God willing, the Iranian nation will produce 20 percent enriched fuel and anything else that is needed."

In a strong rejection to a UN backed deal, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran would enrich uranium without international assistance. file photo.(AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

International opposition has been mounting.

In a recent move, the permanent members of the UN Security council plus Germany voted against Iran and urged the country to stop its nuclear programs. Last Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency passed a resolution, calling for Iran's full cooperation to clarify its nuclear programs and stop the construction on a new uranium enrichment facility.

Fueling the tension, Iran's neighbor Israel says a nuclear-armed Iran would be a threat to its existence and points to Ahmadinejad's calls for Israel to be wiped off the map. That is raising concerns Israel could ultimately carry out a military strike against Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran insists its nuclear programs are for peaceful purposes such as generating electricity. A claim the western world doubts.