By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist   Irania President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivered its much anticipated “punch” to the West this morning by declaring that Iran is now a “nuclear state.” London’s MailOnline is reporting that Ahmadinejad made the announcement while addressing tens of thousands of people who had gathered to mark the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution. “We have the capability to enrich uranium more than 20 percent or 80 percent (the level needed to create an atomic bomb),: he said in the speech, which was broadcast live on state television. “But we don't enrich (to this level) because we don't need it . . . When we say we do not manufacture the bomb, we mean it, and we do not believe in manufacturing a bomb. If we wanted to manufacture a bomb we would announce it.” The international community has warned Iran against further enrichment activities and is threatening new UN sanctions. While thousands of supporters were bussed into Tehran to hear the president speak, a massive security clampdown prevented protestors from mounting a counter-demonsration. “Large numbers of riot police, members of the Revolutionary Guard and Basij militiamen, some on motorcycles, deployed in back streets near key squares and major avenues in the capital to move against protesters,” the MailOnline reports. Witnesses say that internet speeds around the capital dropped dramatically during the speech and security forces were seen firing paint balls at anti-government demonstrators, but no serious injuries have been reported. © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com