Tehran, Dec 9 : Iran does not want further escalation in the dispute over its nuclear programmes and wants talks with the world powers, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday.

"We do not welcome any escalation and are ready to hold further talks [with world powers] over global issues," Ahmadinejad said after a cabinet session in Tehran, reiterating previous offers of talks, which, however, did exclude the nuclear issue in the past.

The website of state television network IRIB quoted the president as saying that all of Iran's nuclear projects are and have always been in line with international laws and regulations.

Ahmadinejad repeated that Iran was serious about plans announced earlier this month to build 10 more uranium enrichment sites and said that the location of five of them has already been finalized.

Tehran has been denying accusations that it is secretly pursuing nuclear weapons, but has also refused - despite several UN Security Council sanctions resolutions - to suspend uranium enrichment, which the West fears could be used to make atomic bombs.(DPA)