Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday that Iranians will be the "best friends" of the United States if the latter gives up its hostility toward the Islamic republic.
Addressing a Columbia University forum, Ahmadinejad said "If the U.S. government recognizes the rights of the Iranian people, respects all nations and extends a hand of friendship to all Iranians, they will see that Iranians will be among their best friends."
Ahmadinejad, who is here to address the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday, stepped aside a question from the audience -- What would take for Iran to engage in talks with the United States or the West?
The United States and Iran, which have no diplomatic ties since 1979, have had two rounds of ambassador-level talks on Iraq issues this year. But they failed to reached any agreement due to sharp differences.
Washington has been accusing Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of its nuclear program. There were reports that the Pentagon has made a plan to destroy Iran's military within three days if a war between the two countries breaks out.
Tehran vehemently denies the U.S. charges.
Source: Xinhua
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