Ahmadinejad says he seeks dialogue, dismisses war threats on nuclear weapons

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has dismissed threats of military action against Iran’s nuclear program, asserting that its enrichment project is for peaceful purposes and disputing that the country is worried about Israel.

Speaking to a group of editorial leaders on Monday, the first full day of his visit to New York for the annual U.N. General Assembly, Ahmadinejad said it was not too late for dialogue with the United States to resolve differences.

He also said that Iran is neutral about the Syrian civil war, and denied it is providing weapons or training to the government of President Bashar Assad.

It was Ahmadinejad’s eighth visit to the U.N. gathering held each September, which he cited as proof that he is open to understanding other countries’ views.