Iranian President seeks to debate Obama

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he wants to have a face-to-face exchange with Barack Obama at the United Nations if elected for another term in Iran.

Obama has urged open dialogue between the United States and the Middle Eastern country despite strained relationship that became even more strained from actions occurring during the George Bush administration.

Obama urged a “serious process of engagement”, which seems to imply he would participate in an open discussion with Ahmadinejad.

The proposed conversation between Ahmadinejad and Obama would cover global issues.

The Iranian President also included – during his debate offer – that he would not abandon his use of nuclear testing in the country, despite almost universal condemnation from the international community.

The nuclear issue “is closed,” Ahmadinejad said in a news conference.

Last week, Obama strengthened his claim to put sanctions on Iran if the country did not begin engaging in open discussions in the coming months.

Ahmadinejad recently denounced the West for requesting him to shut down nuclear testing, that he claims, will be used for mostly energy cultivation. He said Iran’s stand is “crystal clear”.

Last week, Ahmadinejad confirmed that Iran had created a medium-range rocket, which is capable of reaching Israel and Europe.

He also said he would be willing to “debate global issues as well as world peace and security” during the U.N. General Assembly in September.

Censorship has also been an ongoing question for Iran as many claim that Ahmadinejad and his administration block various websites that contain Western ideals. Ahmadinejad did not immediately answer questions concerning the blocking of internet social networking site Facebook.com, but he said he believed “in maximum freedom of expression.”

“There are many Web sites active in the world that can be accessed in Iran. Many Web sites are against the government,” he said, adding that officials “don’t need to shut any sites shut down.”