"When we say we don't want to build an atomic bomb it means we really do not want to build an atomic bomb," Ahmadinejad, interviewed by the Euronews TV channel, said. "If somebody is looking for an atomic bomb nowadays he's mad."

Ahmadinejad, whose remarks were translated into French by Euronews in the live interview monitored by Reuters, said that production of 20 percent-enriched uranium was intended primarily for medical use.

"Production of 20-percent enrichment production is for totally peaceful use," he said. "It's for a reactor that produces active medicines and produces only medicines. It's just for medical and agricultural use."

The US and its allies accuse Iran of trying to develop atom bombs under cover of its nuclear program. Iran denies the allegation, saying it needs nuclear technology to generate electricity to meet its domestic demand.

France on July 19 condemned Iran's announcement that it was installing new uranium enrichment machines to speed progress in its nuclear program, calling it a "clear provocation."

Reuters