Iran leader cool to talks with U.S.

TEHRAN, Iran – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday that talks with the United States would only be possible if Washington changes its policy toward Iran, an official Web site reported.

Ahmadinejad was referring to President Bush’s comment last week that the United States would be willing to negotiate with Iran if it suspended its nuclear program.

“We firstly say that we never asked for negotiations with the United States. Negotiations with the U.S. will happen when the U.S. government applies basic changes in its behavior and attitude,” Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.

The United States and other Western countries fear that Iran is secretly trying to build nuclear weapons. Iran has dismissed those concerns, insisting its program is only for the peaceful purpose of pursuing alternative energy sources.

Iran has refused to suspend its uranium enrichment program – a possible pathway to nuclear arms – despite U.N. sanctions. But it has agreed to answer questions from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear monitor.