Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called on President Obama to face him in a televised one-on-one debate in September. The proposal came as Iran deals with a new wave of international sanctions — driven by Washington — aimed at pressuring Iran over its nuclear program.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: “We are ready to sit down and hold talks with Mr. Obama. We are already prepared. We have made plans to go to the United Nations toward the end of September. We are ready to sit down with Mr. Obama, face to face, man to man — albeit free and in the presence of media — to put the issues of the world on the table.”