Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has invited his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama for man-to-man talks ahead of the UN General Assembly session in September, Iranian Fars news agency said on Monday.
Ahmadinejad will be in the United States from September 20-22 to take part in the session.
"I propose that Obama and I meet for man-to-man talks in the presence of journalists to discuss the best solution to the world's problems," Ahmadinejad said.
Western powers suspect Iran of attempting to build nuclear weapons under the guise of civilian nuclear power generation.
On June 9, the UN Security Council approved a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, including tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo, as well as an asset ban on three dozen companies and a travel freeze on individuals.
Later, the United States and the EU imposed extra unilateral sanctions against Iran, including tougher restrictions on the energy sector and a tougher trade embargo.
Ahmadinejad was quoted on Monday by the agency as saying his country has always "adhered to the principles of logic and dialogue, since the Iranian people have never advanced with the sword".
Experts say there is unlikely to be a thaw in relations between the United States and Iran.
At the beginning of May, Ahmadinejad said ties with Washington could not be improved if a new package of sanctions was placed on Iran. He also said there were "radicals" in the U.S. administration who were encouraging the deterioration of Iranian-U.S. ties.
MOSCOW, August 2 (RIA Novosti)
