IRAN is ready to discuss its nuclear program with any country but will not yield to international pressure to halt the atomic work, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a rally yesterday.

    Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed only at producing electricity but has so far failed to convince the West, which accuses the Islamic state of secretly trying to produce nuclear bombs.

    “The Iranian nation is in favor of talks to resolve the (nuclear) issue with any of you (countries),” Ahmadinejad said in a televised address in the western city of Hamedan.

    Ahmadinejad in March ruled out any talks with the West over Iran’s disputed nuclear program, saying Iran would only discuss the issue with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

    The IAEA also announced yesterday what it called a “milestone” agreement with Iran that aims to provide answers about allegations that Tehran tried to develop nuclear weapons.

    IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei said IAEA Deputy Director General Olli Heinonen and his team had agreed with Iran to start a process aiming to clarify the issue in May.(SD-Agencies)