Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has rejected the United States deadline to start talks on his country's controversial nuclear programme by the end of September. He says, as far as he is concerned, discussions on the nuclear issue have finished.

He has repeated that Iran has the undeniable right to pursue its own atomic programme, adding that he is prepared to take part in a public discussion with US President Barack Obama. Mr Obama has offered to hold talks with Iran, but is threatening tougher sanctions if Iran fails to start negotiations by the end of September.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed el-Baradei, denies withholding important information about possible efforts by Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Mr el-Baradei said the allegations made notably by France were politically motivated and totally groundless.

photo: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (ANP/EPA)