President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday said that Iran was ready to talk with world powers on global issues but will not negotiate over Tehran’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 Tehran, Simon Gass.

But he ruled out any talks on Iran’s controversial nuclear programme. “Having peaceful nuclear technology is Iran’s lawful and definite right and Iranians will not negotiate with anyone over their undeniable rights,” he told Gass as the British envoy presented his credentials.