Iran ready to discuss nuclear dispute, says Ahmadinejad

Tehran: Iran is ready for talks about its nuclear programme but will not give in to pressure to stop its atomic work, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.

Ahmadinejad's comments on Wednesday came a day after US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said that if she were president, the United States could “obliterate'' Iran.

"The Iranian nation is in favour of talks to resolve the [nuclear] issue. We will slap those who want Iran to abandon its right [to nuclear technology] on the mouth," Ahmadinejad said in a televised speech.

The Iranian leader also said that no power in the world "would dare to violate" Iran's rights.

The UN Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions on Iran for not stopping its sensitive nuclear activities, which Iran insists is for civilian use.

"Iran's enemies should know our nation is in favour of logical talks ... but talks should be based on respecting our rights," Ahmadinejad said.

US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed last week to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, possibly by expanding sanctions.