In a speech at Columbia University, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defended Iran’s right to nuclear power but denied Iran is seeking to build nuclear weapons.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: “We are one of the countries that has cooperated most with the IAEA. They’ve had hours and weeks and days of inspections in our country, and over and over again the agency reports indicate that they have not detected a deviation and that they have received positive cooperation from Iran. But regretfully, two or three monopolistic, selfish powers want to force their word on the Iranian people and deny them their right.”

Ahmadinejad’s appearance sparked widespread protests at Columbia. During the speech, Ahmadinejad was asked about Iran’s attitude toward homosexuals.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: “In Iran, we don’t have homosexuals like in your country. We don’t have that in our country.”