Ahmadinejad: Iran to continue N-activities, despite sanctions threat

Tehran: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday Iran would not halt sensitive nuclear work the West suspects is aimed at making bombs and brushed aside threats of more sanctions.

Ahmadinejad, who is due to attend the UN's general assembly debate next week, also said he was willing to meet with both US presidential candidates while in New York.

"We are ready for talks that are completely free and in front of the media and at the site of the United Nations with America's presidential candidates," he told a news conference.

Ahmadinejad has previously expressed willingness to hold direct talks with US President George W. Bush. But Washington says Tehran must first suspend uranium enrichment before the two sides can sit down and talk about nuclear and other issues.

Major powers have offered a package of trade and other incentives if the Islamic Republic stops enriching uranium, a process the West believes Iran is seeking to master to build nuclear warheads. Tehran denies the charge.

Ahmadinejad made clear Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil exporter, had no plans to back down in the dispute.

"Whatever they do, Iran will continue its activities. Sanctions are not important," he said. "The era of (uranium enrichment) suspension has ended."