Whether both sides have genuinely reached a stage that they think they need to talk to each other, I don't know.

The budget showed that there is division [among conservatives] and it is not plain sailing for him. It is too early to judge whether he has been able to deliver on his promises or not.

If that fails, the neo-cons in America and the conservatives in Iran will say, 'We've done it, it hasn't worked, let's continue with the battle of wills,' which can end disastrously for both sides.

It has not reached the stage where I think 'hey I am not as good as these youngsters'. I want to be competing at the top and not just a run of the mill driver.

Although there is a general feeling of apprehension, I don't think it has reached a stage of panic.

I think he is genuinely a state's righter -- and so am I.