Presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, a former premier, said Friday that he is prepared to hold talks with the international 5-plus-1 group over Iran's nuclear drive if elected.
"I agree to talks with 5-plus-1," Mousavi told journalists from international news networks.
But Mousavi said Tehran would continue its nuclear program.
"We will not give [up] anything for having the technology. What will be negotiated is finding ways [to guarantee] that our nuclear program will not deviate towards a weapons plan," the moderate candidate said.
Mousavi's stand is the opposite to incumbent conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is seeking a second term.
Ahmadinejad Monday rejected talks with the 5-plus-1 group over Tehran's nuclear issue.
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana held talks with Iranian nuclear negotiator Said Jalili in April about discussions with the group of world powers known as the 5-plus-1 on Tehran's controversial atomic activities.
Solana has been authorized by the six powers - U.N. Security Council veto-wielding permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany - to discuss the issue with Tehran.
Mousavi, who is backed by several reformist groups in the presidency race, said holding "talks and debates with U.S." was not a taboo for him despite the pressures which Washington exerted on Tehran.
"Every year they renew sanctions against Iran and pressure Iran's economy...Whenever we have to buy airplanes, the U.S. creates problems for us," he said, urging Washington to show more positive signs towards Tehran.