Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Tehran welcomes a fundamental change in approach from the US.
Ahmadinejad made the comments in an address to a rally marking the 30th anniversary of a revolution that ousted the US backed shah regime.
The remarks were Ahmadinejad's most conciliatory since US President Barack Obama took office.
Obama said in his first White House news conference that he sees the possibility of diplomatic openings with Iran in the months ahead.
Ahmadinejad earlier demanded tough conditions before any opening with the United States was possible, telling US troops to quit Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. But this time Ahmadinejad said Iran is ready for dialogue with the US based on mutual respect.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian President, said, "The new U.S. administration has announced that they want to produce change and pursue the course of dialogue. It is quite clear that real change must be fundamental and not tactical. It is clear the Iranian nation welcomes real changes. The Iranian nation is ready to hold talks but talks in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect."
(CCTV February 11, 2009)
