Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic was speeding up its nuclear program, despite ongoing talks with the P5+1.

Speaking at an aerospace conference, rhe president stated that Tehran will never ask permission from any other country to pursue technological advancement of any kind, including nuclear advancement.

According to Fars News Agency, Rouhani boasted that Iran has made “highly important progress in the nuclear field.” However, he added that these advancements have been held back by the ongoing nuclear negotiations.

“We don’t and will not take permission from anyone to make progress in science and knowledge,” he stated.

The Islamic Republic and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, France, Russia, Britain and China – plus Germany, have until March 31 to reach a political agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran insists that their nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes. Israel, the US and other countries, however, are concerned that Iran is aiming to build a nuclear bomb.

Rouhani blamed Iran’s enemies of trying to make up excuses to hold back the country’s scientific advancement. “Our job in the negotiations is to rob them of their excuses,” he stated.

Under proposed agreements with Iran, the US is said to allow Iran to enrich uranium and keep some 6,500 centrifuges as part of a final deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions in his upcoming controversial speech to a joint session of the US Congress.

Despite criticism and pressure to cancel his speech, the prime minister has stated that it is his “sacred duty” to speak out against Iran and protect the future of the State of Israel.

Iran has repeatedly stated that it wishes to wipe Israel off the map and should it get hold of a nuclear weapon, it would not be afraid to use it against Israel.

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