TEHRAN, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Tehran is ready to debate the issues with U.S. President Barack Obama before the media ahead of the U.N. General Assembly meeting, the Iranian president said.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in his formal first news conference since the start of his second term in August said he was ready to talk with Washington, the Fars News Agency reports.
"We are ready to debate and talk about important global issues (with Mr. Obama) in the presence of the world media," he told reporters.
Ahmadinejad issued a similar challenge in July, saying he wanted to engage his U.S. counterpart in "negotiations" in front of the international community.
The Iranian president went on to say he felt it was in the interest of the Islamic republic to explain its positions on the state of affairs in the world.
"We oppose the current situation of the world and we believe it is our responsibility to be present in all arenas and explain our viewpoints in a bid to reform this situation," said.
Iran is the focus of Western concern over its support for militants in Lebanon's Hezbollah and for its controversial nuclear program.
The U.N. General Assembly holds its 64th session Sept. 15.
