TEHRAN — In some of his most conciliatory remarks to date, Iran’s president Tuesday said Tehran is prepared to talk with the United States but gave no indication that negotiations might yield changes demanded by Washington to Iran’s nuclear-development policy and in its support for militant groups opposed to Israel.
President Mahmoud Ahmad inejad, describing his nation as “a superpower,” spoke at what observers described as an unprecedentedly large rally at Tehran’s Freedom Square commemorating the 30th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic revolution.
He spoke just hours after President Barack Obama told reporters at his first news conference since taking office that his administration “will be looking for openings” with Iran that “will allow us to move our policy” in a new direction.
“It’s clear that the Iranian nation will welcome genuine changes” to U.S. policy, Ahmadinejad said in a speech broadcast on national television. “The Iranian nation is prepared to talk. However, these talks should be held in a fair atmosphere in which there is mutual respect.”
In a Jan. 28 speech, Ahmad inejad said the U.S. would have to end its support for Israel and apologize for past alleged crimes before the Islamic republic would improve ties with Washington. He made no mention of such preconditions Tuesday.
He criticized Israel and Iranian opposition groups based abroad as “terrorists” but also said he was willing to cooperate with the U.S. on areas of mutual interest, including fighting drug trafficking and terrorism.
“If you truly want to fight terrorism, come and cooperate with the Iranian nation, which is the main victim of terrorism, so that terrorism is uprooted,” he said.
