Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. (AP)
“The important question to ask is what relationship could there be between the non-recognition of the Zionist regime by Iran and the ties between Iran and the U.S.?,” Ahmadinejad said on Monday at the United Nations, according to a Fars News report.
“Iran recognizes the U.S. and believes that we can have relations with each other but the issue of recognition or non-recognition of the Zionist regime is not related to the ties between Iran and the U.S.,” he said.
He added that Iran is prepared to “rethink” diplomatic relations with the United States.
“If the U.S. administration takes a step to create understanding between the two states, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to rethink its negative mentality of the U.S. and help improve the relations between the two countries faster,” said Ahmadinejad.
“Americans should know that whatever happens in Iran, the era of the previous regime in Iran will not be revived and they should adjust themselves to the present conditions, and this is while the U.S. administrations have lost 33 years of opportunity for interaction with Iran,” he said.
Ahmadinejad is visiting the United Nations this week along with other world leaders, and will address the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday.