>>>
with
ann
's exclusive interview with
iran
's president
mahmoud ahmadinejad
and word that the american hikers detained in tehr
tehran
, in a
tehran
prison, could be freed very soon.
ann
is in
tehran
with the details. i know you spoke with that president about a wide range of subjects, but this is the topic that's making the headlines. talk to me about it.
>> reporter:
you're absolutely right, matt. good morning. the president in a 45-minute interview basically told us in response to a question that he personally has organize the release of the two remaining american hikers, talking about josh fattal and shane bauer. he said it will happen, in his word, in a couple of days as a humanitarian gesture. he talked about what he said were a number of
iranians
that were being held in american prisons and he was clearly talking about the need for the
united states
to step up and release
iranians
. we can also tell you the families of these two american hikers have said that they are hopeful upon hearing this news that about the words you are now about to hear from
iran
's president. many americans want to know how it could be that
iran
could sentence the two young hikers, josh fattal and shane bauer, to eight years in prison? for spying. what is the evidence against them?
>> translator:
they illegally crossed our borders, and they were arrested by the
border guards
, but we tried last year to free one of the three persons, and we are also trying to make arrangement for their freedom, for the freedom of the other two. i think these two persons will be freed in a couple of days.
>>
in a couple of days?
>> translator:
yes. in a couple of days. they will be free, but let me ask a question. are they really the problem? you know how many
iranians
are now in the american jails? there are hundreds. it's not about only two people in
iran
. these two people are having the very good conditions here in prison. it's like staying in a hotel. i think the problem is in the approach of the american politicians and leaders. why the american leaders are so hostile against us. okay. these two persons will be released. it is going to be over. we do it, for example, in a humanitarian gesture. is it going to solve the problems? i hope so.
>>
just on monday the head of the
international atomic energy agency
announced plans to publish new information that he says shows that
iran
may be working on a
nuclear warhead
. he said he is, quote, deeply concerned. is
iran
working on a
nuclear warhead
?
>> translator:
this is an old and repeated story. first of all, we are against
nuclear weapons
because it is against our beliefs and ideology.
>>
then simply put, is your answer no?
>> translator:
we do not need
nuclear weapons
and we do not accept that. we are against that.
>>
so, but to the question is
iran
building
nuclear warheads
, is the answer yes or is it no, with all due respect? we do not need it. what is our need to do it?
>>
so your answer is no.
>> translator:
that's right. certainly.
>>
in our interview two years ago you said about
president obama
i very much hope that the gentleman will move toward fundamental change and we are waiting for those changes to come about. what is your message to
president obama
today?
>> translator:
president obama
was in the presidential elections and he had some slogans and we weren't happy about it, but many people were disappointed. i ask you and the
people of the united states
to what expect they hope about real reforms by him. what has changed the
united states
? what policies? did they change policies in afghanistan or iraq or in the hostility against
iran
? what has changed, really?
>> reporter:
while criticizing both the
united states
and also britain, the
president ahmadinejad
also made it clear he is looking for improved relations with the west. he'll be speaking on the world stage before the
u.n. general assembly
in 11 days and we'll have more of our interview on nbc "nightly news" and posted online in it's entirety.
>>
we look forward to that,
ann
. thank you very much.
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