MSNBC: Iran's president said Tuesday the world was "entering an era of dialogue" and that his country would welcome talks with its longtime adversary, the United States, if they are based on mutual respect.But Obama may soon be talking to someone different.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's announcement comes a day after President Barack Obama said his administration was looking for opportunities to engage Iran and pledged to rethink United States' relationship with Tehran.
"The Iranian nation is ready for talks (with the U.S.) but in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect," Ahmadinejad told hundreds of thousands of Iranians during a celebration marking the 30th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution that toppled the U.S.-backed shah and brought hard-line clerics to power.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's rule might be coming to an end. He is apparently unpopular with young people. Former Iranian president Mohammed Khatami, a moderate reform candidate, is challenging Ahmadinejad in a June election.