News/Lawmaker News

Ahmadinejad challenges Obama to debate

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is throwing down the gauntlet.

According to the Islamic Republican News Agency, Ahmadinejad on Monday invited President Obama to a debate at the United Nations General Assembly.

“If I am reelected in the upcoming presidential elections in Iran, I would like to renew the invitation to President Obama for debate on global issues, as well as world peace and security,” Ahmadinejad told reporters.

However, the Associated Press reports that Ahmadinejad also took the main reason why Obama would want to engage in a debate – Iran’s nuclear program – off the table. The nuclear issue “is closed,” he said.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com