Tehran  - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday declared his readiness to have a televised debate with the two US presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain.

"I have no intention to officially meet American officials in New York, but I am ready for a televised debate with the two US presidential candidates at the UN," Ahmadinejad said at a press conference in Tehran.

"I had the same intention with [President George W] Bush," he said, referring to his two requests for such an encounter. They were rejected by the White House as propaganda.

Ahmadinejad confirmed at the press conference that he would soon be leaving for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, where he is scheduled to give a speech on Tuesday. (dpa)