Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad announced that talks with world powers would be "fruitful" if sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program were scrapped.
His comments in a televized speech on December 7 came as talks continue in Geneva between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States -- and Germany about Iran's disputed nuclear program.
Both sides described the first day of the talks on December 6 as "constructive" but no breakthroughs were reported.
The UN Security Council has imposed four rounds of sanctions on Iran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment activities that could be directed toward the development of a nuclear weapon.
Iran denies any intention to make such a weapon and insists it has a "right" to a nuclear fuel cycle.
The Geneva talks mark the first such meeting between Iran and the six powers in more than a year.
compiled from agency reports
His comments in a televized speech on December 7 came as talks continue in Geneva between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States -- and Germany about Iran's disputed nuclear program.
Both sides described the first day of the talks on December 6 as "constructive" but no breakthroughs were reported.
The UN Security Council has imposed four rounds of sanctions on Iran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment activities that could be directed toward the development of a nuclear weapon.
Iran denies any intention to make such a weapon and insists it has a "right" to a nuclear fuel cycle.
The Geneva talks mark the first such meeting between Iran and the six powers in more than a year.
compiled from agency reports