Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday that the disputed Iranian nuclear issue was "closed" from Iran's perspective and that his country had the right to develop new energy.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the 28th annual summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Ahmadinejad said "In our opinion, the nuclear issue is now closed."

Iran does not feel threatened at all and any pressure on Iran concerning the issue is useless, he said, adding that "we are prepared for any conditions."

Highlighting the legitimacy of Iran's nuclear program, Ahmadinejad asserted that the Iranian people would not abandon their right to produce new, clean and cheap energy.

Earlier in the day, the Iranian president addressed the GCC's opening ceremony, saying that the Gulf region needs various security and economic pacts without foreign intervention.

Ahmadinejad became the first Iranian president invited to attend the gathering of the GCC, which groups the world's six top oil exporters, namely Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The GCC has always called for a nuclear-free Gulf while keeping a close eye on the developments of Iran's nuclear case.

The UN Security Council has imposed two sanctions resolutions against Tehran's nuclear program since last December, demanding a halt of the uranium enrichment work. Iran's senior officials, however, have repeatedly denied the request.

The United States and Western countries have accused Iran of developing atomic weapons under a civilian cover, but Tehran said it only wants to generate electricity.

The White House has never ruled out the possibility of a military attack against Tehran's nuclear facilities.

(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2007)