The new figure is double the 3,000 centrifuges Iran had previously said it was operating in its uranium enrichment plant in Natanz.
"Islamic Iran today possesses 6,000 centrifuges," Ahmadinejad told university professors in the northeastern city of Mashhad.
The assertion that Iran has reached that goal is certain to further rankle the United States and other world powers. Washington and its allies have been demanding a halt to Iran's enrichment out of fear it is intent on using the technology to develop weapons.
Iran vehemently denies those allegations and says it is interested in enrichment only for its nuclear power program.
Don't let anybody tell you that Iraq distracted us from dealing with Iran and that is why Iran is closer to a crucial enrichment capability. Our anti-war side just grasps at any argument to support losing in Iraq. These people would never under any circumstances have supported forceful action against Iran if we weren't fighting in Iraq.
