“The bankrupt, uncivilized and criminal Zionist regime [Israel] wishes to inflict losses on Iran but they know that Iran's response to any such efforts will be crushing and regrettable,” said President Ahmadinejad in an interview with Lebanese-based al-Manar TV on Wednesday.

Talking about Iran's nuclear program, the president said that the West's stance on the issue could be analysed in line with the objectives of the "arrogant system", considering the ongoing developments in the region.

He noted that the Western position on Iran's nuclear program proved that they were opposed to any advancement made by Muslim countries.

Ahmadinejad also stated that the "arrogant powers" were doing their utmost to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear country, but Iran was, nevertheless, already a nuclear country.

He warned Western powers that they would sustain yet another defeat if they persisted in their "misdeeds".

President Ahmadinejad also blasted the performance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran's nuclear program and emphasized that, although Iran carried out all its undertakings, the IAEA deprived the country of its legitimate rights as an IAEA member and prompted illegal sanctions against the country.

The Iranian chief executive insisted that the Islamic Republic would never give up its principles while it believed that the West must change its confrontational attitude into a cooperative one.

President Ahmadinejad said that Iran had amicable ties with all countries except Israel, saying that the Iranian nation opposed injustice, oppression, dependence and humiliation.

He also emphasized the importance of establishing close ties with Egypt and reiterated that if unity between Tehran and Cairo took effect, no space would be left for Israel and hegemonic powers in the region.

Iran and Egypt play pivotal roles in regional developments, President Ahmadinejad said.

“If the two countries stand together, the entire region will be free and the Zionist regime will be eliminated from the region.”

He further noted that collective action of Iran and Egypt would mean that the entire region was together.

Ahmadinejad reiterated that the domestic policies of every country should be in accordance with its regional and international approaches.

Asked about the West's "bid to cause an internal conflict in Syria", the Iranian president called on the Syrian government and nation to remain vigilant and seek to resolve their issues through cooperation.