Rouhani: Iran Ready for Nuclear Talks

Iran's new president, Hassan Rouhani (file).

Iranian President Hasan Rouhani says his government is ready to hold talks on its nuclear program, but only if the negotiations have no preconditions.

Speaking Sunday at a military parade, Rouhani said Western countries must accept Iran's right to enrich uranium "within the framework of international law."

He also reiterated Iran's insistence that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

Rouhani is due to travel Monday to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

Iran has defied four rounds of U.N. Security Council sanctions demanding it suspend uranium enrichment.

The U.S. and its allies have imposed economic sanctions, including oil and banking restrictions, after Tehran refused to permit international nuclear inspectors into its nuclear facilities. It is widely believed that Iran is developing a nuclear weapons program.