Ahmadinejad wants direct talks with U.S. over nuke problemNovember 9, 2012 - 14:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said problems related to his country’s nuclear program must be discussed directly with the United States, RIA Novosti reported citing Iran’s state run IRNA news agency. The United States, Israel and some of their allies accuse Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program. Iran rejects the allegations, arguing that it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. “We believe in friendly relations between peoples and governments and Iran hails all relations based on justice and mutual respect,” Ahmadinejad said commenting on the possible talks with the United States. Ahmadinejad reiterated that all nuclear facilities in Iran are always open for international monitors. “Official representatives of other countries may inspect Iran’s nuclear facilities, since Iran is the only country, which opened doors of its nuclear facilities for world media,” the president said. Speaking further about Tehran’s relations with Washington, Ahmadinejad said it is “necessary to launch investigation to determine who and why broke off relations with Iran 33 years ago.” The United States and Iran have had no direct diplomatic relations since April 1980. Ties were cut by Washington some five months after radical Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 U.S. diplomats hostage for 444 days. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |