Ahmadinejad justifies Iran's uranium enrichment

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country is enriching uranium to develop radiation for medical purposes. But he says he is ready to resume talks on nuclear development with the United States and European countries.

Ahmadinejad spoke to reporters in New York on Friday where he is attending the UN General Assembly.

He said Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Saleh told EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, that his country is prepared to discuss nuclear issues.

But he maintained Iran must continue its enrichment program in order to secure enough radioactive materials to treat some 800,000 patients, including those suffering from cancer.

A UN resolution has banned the country from enriching uranium over concerns that the radioactive material could be used in nuclear weapons. However, the Middle East country has continued its program.

Ahmadinejad said Iran will stop its enrichment program if the United States and other countries provide it with 20 percent enriched uranium for medical use.

The Iranian president apparently wanted to reiterate his country's right to continue the enrichment program because it has been unable to find alternative ways to fulfill its uranium needs in meetings with western countries.