Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Arrives in NYC

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a low-key entrance into New York City on Sunday evening amid extremely tight security as he faces a firestorm of controversy surrounding his visit to address the U.N. General Assembly and speak to students and teachers during a forum at Columbia University, FoxNews reports.

Ahmadinejad said the American people have been denied "correct information," and his visit will give them a chance to hear a different voice.

The visit also comes as the United States and its European allies continue to urge Iran to stop uranium enrichment. The White House wants to set more economic sanctions against Iran, which it calls a sponsor of terrorism, that is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies those charges.

Meanwhile, Ahmadinejad dismissed the threat of additional economic sanctions Saturday, saying it would not stop his country's technological progress. He also dismissed the possibility of a war between Iran and US.

Some students and activist groups blasted Columbia University's decision to allow Ahmadinejad on campus, but the Ivy League school plans to stick to the schedule.

Ahmadinejad's visit to New York is also being debated in Iran, where some think his trip is a publicity stunt that damages Iran's image in the world.

Political analyst Iraj Jamshidi said Ahmadinejad looks at the General Assembly as a publicity forum where he can surprise world leaders with his unpredictable harsh rhetoric. Independent Iranian analysts also criticized Ahmadinejad for making the trip, saying his anti-Western rhetoric makes life for Iran more difficult.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran were heightened in recent days after U.S. forces detained an Iranian official in northern Iraq.

Washington has said it is addressing the Iran situation diplomatically, rather than militarily, but U.S. officials also say that all options are open. The commander of U.S. military forces in the Middle East said he does not believe tension will lead to war.