Iran predicts 'end of US empire'

Published on Wednesday 24 September 2008 01:03

THE Iranian president last night said "a few bullying powers" were trying to ruin his country's "peaceful nuclear activities".

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also told the UN General Assembly that the "American empire" was "reaching the end of its road" and Iran's nuclear programme was opposed only by a minority of nations.

He used his high-profile speech at the world body's annual meeting in New York to denounce Israel, saying "the Zionist regime is on a definite slope to collapse, and there is no way for it to get out of the cesspool created by itself and its supporters". Mr Ahmadinejad has previously been criticised for saying he wanted to wipe Israel off the map.

Just hours after US President George Bush accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism from the same stage, Mr Ahmadinejad attacked the US and Nato.

He said they acted as aggressors in Iraq and Afghanistan, and started wars "in order to win votes in elections".

During Mr Bush's speech earlier, Mr Ahmadinejad turned to Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki and gave a thumbs down.