Iran Wants Nuclear Talks Without Conditions

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said Iran wanted talks over its nuclear program, but would not accept preconditions such as freezing uranium enrichment.

Speaking at a rally in Rasht, in northern Iran, Ahmadinejad said Western nations should stop their own enrichment programs if they wanted his country to stop its program and return to negotiations.

"We are in favor of talks, but under just conditions," Ahmadinejad said. "If you say we should stop our enrichment and nuclear-fuel cycle so that talks can begin, there is no problem with that. But justice necessitates that those who want to negotiate with us should also shut down their nuclear-fuel cycle. Then we can talk under just conditions."

Ahmadinejad's comments come as the UN Security Council's deadline for Tehran to halt its sensitive uranium-enrichment program is set to expire this week.

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