TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s president says Iran has no intention of building nuclear weapons, but fear would not deter it if it decided to make them.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s comments suggest a toughening of Iran’s position ahead of June 18-19 talks with world powers over Tehran’s nuclear program.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany want Iran to shut down its highest level uranium enrichment facilities. Ahmadinejad’s remarks suggest Iran would refuse.

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Ahmadinejad made the comments during a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Thursday in China. His remarks were posted on his website.

The US and its allies suspect Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes like power generation and cancer treatment.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.