Nuclear Talks Spark Clinton-Ahmadinejad Row

Iran's nuclear ambitions are putting the world at risk, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned.She told delegates at a nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) conference that Iran had violated its obligations and should be held to account.

Throughout her speech on May 3, Mrs Clinton regularly rounded on Iran, accusing President Ahmadinejad of offering the same "tired, false and sometimes wild accusations" against the US and others, reports BBC.

"Iran will do whatever it can to divert attention away from its own record in an attempt to evade accountability. Iran is the only country represented in this hall that has been found by the [International Atomic Energy Agency] board of governors to be currently in non-compliance with its nuclear safeguard obligations."

"It has defied the UN Security Council and the IAEA and placed the future of the non-proliferation regime in jeopardy, and that is why it is facing increasing isolation and pressure from the international community," she added.

Ahmadinejad, in turn, criticized the Obama administration for retaining the option of launching a nuclear strike against Iran under its new U.S. nuclear arms policy, and invited Obama to join "a humane movement" that would set a timetable for total nuclear disarmament.

"Regrettably, the government of the United States has not only used nuclear weapons, but also continues to threaten to use such weapons against other countries, including Iran.It is crystal clear that the hegemonic policy has failed, and the dreams for establishing new empires are vain hopes," he said.

Ahmadinejad was referring to the April 8 U.S. nuclear posture review, under which the U.S. retains the option of using nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapons countries that are out of compliance with the treaty, an exception U.S. officials say is aimed at Iran and North Korea.

"The nuclear bomb is a fire against humanity rather than a weapon for defense. The possession of nuclear bombs is not a source of pride. Its possession is disgusting and shameful," said Ahmadinejad.