He told the Washington Post he saw a resolution of the issue as a "beginning point" in easing US-Iran relations.

 

Mr Rouhani said he was fully¹ empowered by Iran's Supreme² Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, to negotiate on the issue. 

 

On Thursday, Iran will hold talks with the P5+1 group of world powers on Tehran's uranium enrichment programme.

 

In a rare encounter between US and Iranian officials, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will meet US Secretary of State John Kerry as well as diplomats³ from the UK, France, Russia, China and Germany in New York.

 

President Rouhani has been in New York this week for the UN General Assembly, and has been giving interviews to US media.

 

Iranian media has accused CNN of "distorting" comments he made in answer to a question about the Holocaust⁴.

 

Asked about a timeframe for resolving the nuclear issue, President Rouhani told the Washington Post: "The only way forward is for a timeline to be inserted into the negotiations⁵ that is short. 

 

"The shorter it is the more beneficial it is to everyone. If it's three months that would be Iran's choice, if it's six months that's still good. It's a question of months not years."

 

Despite years of hostility⁶ between the US and Iran, Mr Rouhani said that if he and President Barack Obama got together they would both be "looking at the future".

 

"The notes and letters and exchanges between us are in that direction, and they will continue," he said.

 

"We need a beginning point. I think that is the nuclear issue."

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