Rohani Says Israel 'Angry' Over Outreach To World Powers

Iranian President Hassan Rohani

Iranian President Hassan Rohani says regional rival Israel has gotten "angry" about Tehran's new campaign to engage with world powers over the Islamic republic's controversial nuclear program.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the United Nations this week that Israel believed Iran is still pursuing efforts to develop a nuclear weapon and said Israel was ready to act militarily to stop Iran from obtaining an atomic bomb.

Speaking on October 2 after a cabinet meeting in Tehran, Rohani expressed hope about the talks between Iran and world powers expected in mid-October in Geneva.

Iran is entering the talks seeking to ease international sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.

Rohani said Tehran was open to discussing what he described as "details" of Iran's uranium-enrichment program, but said the country's right to conduct enrichment was not negotiable.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP