Ahmadinejad to U.S.: Let’s Talk (Maybe)

On Tuesday, the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in his country, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad extended a tentative offer to open a dialogue between the U.S. and Iran — provided that the Obama administration makes good on its “change” slogan.

The Christian Science Monitor:

Speaking as Iranians marked the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, Mr. Ahmadinejad declared Iran to be “officially … a real and genuine superpower,” and that the “shadow of threat has been removed forever” from the Islamic Republic.

“From now on, which power in the world can be found that has the courage to threaten the Iranian nation?” Ahmadinejad asked to cheers.

Facing tens of thousands of flag-waving Iranians at Tehran’s Azadi (Freedom) Square, Ahmadinejad offered his first response to President Barack Obama’s comments Monday that he was “looking for openings” with Iran.

“It is quite clear that real change [from the US] must be fundamental and not tactical. It is clear the Iranian nation welcomes real changes,” he said. “The Iranian nation is ready to hold talks but talks in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect.”

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