Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that Tehran was ready for talks with the Obama administration. Ahmadinejad made the remark during a speech marking the thirtieth anniversary of the Iranian revolution.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: “The new US administration has announced that they want to produce change and pursue the course of dialogue. It is quite clear that real change must be fundamental and not tactical. It is clear that the Iranian nation welcomes real change. The Iranian nation is ready to hold talks, but talks in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect.”

Ahmadinejad’s comments came hours after President Obama said his administration was exploring ways to open a dialogue with Iran.

President Obama: “My expectation is, in the coming months, we will be looking for openings that can be created where we can start sitting across the table, face to face, diplomatic overtures that will allow us to move our policy in a new direction.”