DUBAI, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

said on Sunday Tehran would not negotiate about its disputed

nuclear programme under pressure, but would talk to its

adversaries if they stopped 'pointing the gun'.

In a speech to mark the 34th anniversary of the Islamic

revolution, Ahmadinejad struck a more conciliatory tone than

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who on Feb. 7 rebuffed a

U.S. call for direct negotiations on disputes between the two

countries.

Ahmadinejad does not have the authority to authorise

negotiations over the nuclear programme, which lies with

Khamenei.

The U.S. and some of its allies suspect Iran may be trying

to develop atomic weapons capability under the cover of a

civilian nuclear energy programme, a charge Iran has denied.

'You cannot point a gun at the Iranian nation and then

expect them to have negotiations with you,' Ahmadinejad said,

speaking to a crowd gathered in Tehran's Azadi (Freedom) Square.

His speech, which partly dealt with Iran's policy towards

its 'enemies', was carried live on Iranian state television.

'Talks should not be used as a lever to impose one's

opinions.'

He added: 'If you stop pointing the gun at the Iranian

nation, I will negotiate (with you) myself.'

Khamenei on Thursday slapped down an offer of direct

negotiations with the United States, saying negotiations and

pressure were incompatible.

(Reporting By Yeganeh Torbati, Editing by William Maclean and

Andrew Heavens)

((yeganeh.torbati@thomsonreuters.com)(+971 50 698 8495)(Reuters

Messaging: yeganeh.torbati.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

(For an Interactive look at Iran please click on http://link.reuters.com/vyz64t)

COPYRIGHT

Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. All rights reserved.

The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.