; "The Iranian nation will not back down on its right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy despite pressures being exerted by the enemies," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying while touring the country's southwestern region.

The president also said that the Iranian government "will make every effort to gain access to nuclear technology for peaceful ends and will powerfully resist the enemies."

Denouncing the stance of the West on the Iranian nuclear issue, Ahmadinejad criticized "several powerful countries" for "having polluted the world atmosphere by ignoring the rules of morality."

Ahmadinejad's comments were made as the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council-- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China-- plus Germany are bargaining over a draft presidential statement on the Iranian nuclear issue proposed by Britain and France.

The draft statement, which sets a two-week deadline for Iran to suspend its sensitive nuclear activities, is opposed by Russia and China based on the fear that tough rhetoric of the statement would radicalize the current tension.

The International Atomic Energy Agency on March 8 handed over the files of Iran's nuclear program to the U.N. Security Council after the agency's board of governors meeting.

Iran has denounced the involvement of the Security Council, vowing never to give in to pressures and bullies.