Iran's president says Tehran will not stop enriching uranium but it is ready to enter into talks on its nuclear program.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke to tens of thousands of Iranians at a rally Sunday celebrating the 28th anniversary of the Islamic revolution that toppled the U.S.-backed Shah.
Mr. Ahmadinejad's speech fell short of an expected announcement that Iran has started installing thousands of centrifuges for enriching uranium. He instead told the crowds that Iran will announce "great achievements" by April 9.
Earlier Sunday, Iran's top nuclear negotiator said Tehran is ready to reach a negotiated settlement to the dispute about its nuclear program.
The United Nations Security Council has ordered Iran to stop enriching uranium by February 21 or face possible further sanctions.
The Security Council passed economic sanctions against Iran in December in relation to the nuclear standoff.
The United States and its Western allies suspect Iran is developing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
