Ahmadinejad "has often stated his true intentions concerning Israel," he said, a reference to repeated calls by the Iranian president for the country's destruction.

Ahmadinejad said Saturday that "one cannot deprive any nation from its rights. The Iranian nation will defend its rights to nuclear technology with force."

Iran is "no threat to any nation, even the Zionist regime," he said in Khondab, in central Iran, after inaugurating a heavy water production plant just five days before a UN deadline to suspend sensitive nuclear fuel cycle work.

The heavy water plant at Arak will supply heavy water to be used as cooling fluid for a 40 MW research reactor due for completion by 2009.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has voiced concern over the risk of diversion of nuclear materials, as the research reactor could produce 8-10 kilograms (about 20 pounds) of plutonium a year -- enough to make at least two nuclear bombs.

Iran is under intense pressure from the international community to suspend its controversial programme of uranium enrichment, and the UN Security Council has given Tehran until August 31 to comply or face the threat of sanctions.

Western countries, led by the United States, believe Iran wants to create nuclear weapons, but the Islamic republic insists it only wants civil nuclear power and has the right to master the required technology.

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