President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Thursday Ecuador and met with its President Rafael Correa who defended Iran and criticized a damning IAEA report on Iran’s nuclear program.

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Thursday Ecuador and met with its President Rafael Correa who defended Iran and criticized a damning IAEA report on Iran's nuclear program.

Correa said during visit: “How can we accept these kinds of reports?"

"The report concluded, in quotes, that Iran was developing nuclear weapons, something it has always denied, and we believe them,” he added.

After the five hour meeting between the two counterparts, the Ecuadorian president pointed out that "the same thing was done with Iraq. How is it possible that they don't learn? We want the IAEA's methods to be changed and that true global disarmament of nuclear weapons be sought.”

For his part, Ahmadinejad said in a joint press conference with Correa that “the hegemonic powers are against the progress and independence of other nations.”

“I advise the bullying powers to respect other nations and recognize their rights because up to now they owe other nations thousands of apologies,” he added.

On the nuclear issue, the Iranian president pointed out that “the nuclear question is a political excuse. They know that Iran is not looking to make atomic bombs… We do not believe in making atomic bombs.”

Ahmadinejad was scheduled to fly back to Tehran Friday.