TEHERAN: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday that Iran was ready to talk with world powers on global issues but will not negotiate over Teheran's right to nuclear technology.

"We are ready to talk about international cooperation and resolving global economic and security problems as we believe that such issues cannot be resolved without everyone's participation," Ahmadinejad was quoted by Fars news agency as telling the new British ambassador to Teheran, Simon Gass.

But Ahmadinejad ruled out any talks on Iran's controversial nuclear program.