Iran's president says his country is open to what he calls "new conditions" to resolve the standoff with the West over Iran's nuclear program.
Speaking to reporters in Senegal Thursday, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did not provide details of the conditions. But he said Iran is seeking dialogue to resolve the issue.
He expressed doubt that the United Nations will agree to sanctions because there is "no reason for them."
In Washington, White House spokesman Tony Snow said again Thursday that negotiations can begin once Iran suspends its nuclear enrichment activities. He said, "suspend enrichment and we'll talk."
Meanwhile, China's Premier Wen Jiabao again expressed opposition to sanctions against Iran. He said the nuclear issue should be resolved through negotiations.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman called on Iran to settle the dispute peacefully.
Iran's nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, has offered to consider a temporary halt. But Iran has rejected pre-conditions for negotiations.
U.S. officials say Iran should face sanctions now, because it ignored an August 31 deadline from the U.N. Security Council to suspend uranium enrichment.
Britain, France and Germany have been negotiating with Iran, and they say they are still open to dialogue.
U.S. and European officials say Iran is developing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.