Iran's President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he will pursue peace and moderation, and said extremism will not be acceptable in his administration.

In his first public comments since his election victory Friday, Mr. Ahmadinejad also said his government will continue nuclear talks with the European Union. He linked the success of those talks to the West recognizing Iran's right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

He also said his government has no significant need for improved ties with the United States.

The Bush administration has accused Iran of secretly trying to develop an atomic bomb - a charge Tehran denies. Sunday, Mr. Ahmadinejad said Iran wants nuclear power for medical research and to generate electricity.

In Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld dismissed Friday's poll as a "mock election," and said Mr. Ahmadinejad is "no friend of democracy." He also predicted the Iranian people will find him unacceptable.