Iran

Teheran ready for talks with Washington

Article published on the 2009-02-10 Latest update 2009-02-10 14:15 TU

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
(Photo: Reuters)

Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, says he is prepared to talk to the United States after three decades of severed ties between the two countries. Ahmadinejad made the announcement in a speech to mark the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

On Monday, US President Barak Obama, renewed his call for direct dialogue with Iran. He said he hoped to "start sitting across the table, face-to-face" in the coming months.

Tens of thousands of Iranians chanting anti-American slogans took to the streets of the capital, Teheran, on Tuesday for the annual commemoration of the Islamic Revolution on 11 February 1979. This year it falls on 10 February because it is an Iranian leap year.

The US and other world powers are concerned that Iran's nuclear programme is aimed at making atomic weapons. Iran claims its programme is for civilian use.

Western fears were enhanced earlier this month when Iran launched its first home-built satellite, Omid.