Iran has repeatedly stressed the importance of holding talks on equal footing, but the Islamic Republic will never negotiate on its absolute rights (as peaceful nuclear program), Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in Qazvin on Wednesday, the Mehr news agency reported.
"Iran is ready to hold talks based on an equal footing to help settle ongoing problems, ease international concerns and establish peace and security in the world," he said.
He expressed the Islamic Republic's readiness to negotiate based on justice and respect.
Iran restored the nuclear activities frozen in 2003 after Ahmadinejad's victory in the elections in 2005. Iran did not stop the nuclear enrichment despite the UN Security Council's six resolutions on the country.
The U.N. Security Council adopted the resolution, which provides for new sanctions against Tehran in connection with its refusal to cease uranium enrichment on June 9. Iran has repeatedly denied accusations of developing nuclear weapons, saying its nuclear program is purely civilian in nature.
"The "5+1" group or so-called "Six" (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) has been seeking the suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment, which can pose a threat to nuclear nonproliferation regime since 2003.