Iranian President Hassan Rouhani calls for new nuclear talks

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2013, in New York City. / SPENCER PLATT/GETTY IMAGES

UNITED NATIONSIranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday his nation is prepared to immediately engage in stalled negotiations over its disputed nuclear program - but only under certain conditions.

Rouhani told the United Nations General Assembly in New York during a speech that he is also open to talks with the United States "to manage differences." It was his first appearance on the world stage since he was elected in the summer.

Nuclear negotiations between Iran and six world powers have been stalled for months but Iran agreed to a new meeting this Thursday on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

Rouhani said every issue can be resolved through moderation and rejection of violence, and said the next round of nuclear talks should be "time-bound and results-oriented."

During his speech at the U.N., Rouhani also expressed hope that President Barack Obama would not be swayed by "war-mongering pressure groups" in the U.S. while dealing with Iran.

Rouhani reiterated that nuclear weapons "have no place in Iran's security and defense doctrine."

There had been some speculation that Rouhani and President Obama might meet on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, however it never materialized.

"We indicated that the two leaders could have had a discussion on the margins if the opportunity presented itself," a senior administration official said. However, the official added, "the Iranians got back to us; it was clear that it was too complicated for them to do that at this time given their own dynamic back home."

The leaders of the U.S. and Iran have not met face to face since before the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, but recent statements by Rouhani, who is more moderate than his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have taken a conciliatory tone that suggest a possible opening for diplomatic relations. Mr. Obama and Rouhani have also exchanged letters.

The U.S. has long sought to limit Iran's uranium enrichment out of suspicion the country is trying to produce a nuclear weapon. Iranian leaders, however, have insisted they are only seeking to produce nuclear energy.

Secretary of State John Kerry and Mohammad Zarif, Iran's new foreign minister and chief nuclear negotiator, are set to meet later this week with other foreign ministers involved in international talks about Iran's nuclear program. President Obama indicated in his speech earlier at the U.N. that he would be directing Kerry to pursue an agreement with Iran about the country's nuclear program in coordination with the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China.

"We should be able to achieve a resolution that respects the rights of the Iranian people, while giving the world confidence that the Iranian program is peaceful. To succeed, conciliatory words will have to be matched by actions that are transparent and verifiable," the president said. While he said a diplomatic solution was preferable, Mr. Obama reiterated that the U.S. will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon.

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