Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned the United Nations not to impose sanctions over its disputed nuclear program. He said Iran would respond with a “appropriate and firm response” to any U.N. sanctions. Iran’s deputy UN ambassador, Mehdi Danesh-Yazdi, criticized the international community for its stance on Israel and its secret nuclear weapons program.

• Mehdi Danesh-Yazdi: “The Israeli regime is allowed to acquire a large stockpile of nuclear weapons in the volatile Middle East region and defy the will of all regional states and the international community to turn the Middle East into a zone free from nuclear weapons. Emboldened by few powers irresponsible approach, the Israeli regime has also become so audacious to lead a masquerade of lies and deception against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.”