Ahmadinejad defiant ahead of UN sanctions vote

Istanbul, 08 June-(ANA)-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has struck a defiant note ahead of a vote due this week on new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme.

At a summit in Istanbul, Mr Ahmadinejad warned Tehran would walk away from talks if fresh measures were imposed.

He urged Russia not to side with Iran's enemies and said the US would lose if fresh sanctions were passed.

He also warned a nuclear fuel-swap deal brokered by Turkey and Brazil was an offer that would not be repeated.

If passed, the fourth round of sanctions would tighten financial restrictions and shipping inspections on Iran, as well as expanding a limited arms embargo.(ANA)

FA/ANA/08 June 2010------