Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is willing to hold one-on-one talks with U.S. President Barack Obama in September, he said Monday.
Ahmadinejad expects to visit New York then for the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting, he said at a speech in Tehran.
"I will be ready for talks, for one-on-one talks, with Mr. Obama in front of the media, of course," he said, posing the offer as a repeat of one he has been making to the U.S. president for years.
The White House did not immediately comment on the speech, which was carried live on Iran's government-backed Press TV.
Ahmadinejad made the offer in the course of attacking "Zionists," a term he uses to refer to Israel and Jews.
"Is the U.S. government influenced by Zionists or the other way around? He should make it clear which one is under the control of the other," Ahmadinejad said, dismissing "Zionists" as "a political party that handles wealth and money".
The United States tightened sanctions on Iran a month ago in response to Tehran's controversial nuclear program. Washington believes the Islamic republic is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies it.
The new sanctions show the West does not understand the Islamic republic and "are aimed at preventing Iran from becoming an industrial pole and achieving its rightful place," Ahmadinejad said July 3, according to Iranian media.
CNN
