"Talk of a debate is just a diversion from the legitimate concerns that the international community, not just the U.S., has about Iran's behavior, from support for terrorism to pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Perino said the United States was willing to talk to Iran "in the context of positive response to the P5+1 package," referring to the five UN Security Council permanent members - the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China - and Germany.

At a news conference in Tehran on Tuesday, Ahmadinejad proposed the live television debate with Bush on world issues.

"I suggest holding a live TV debate with Mr. George W. Bush to talk about world affairs and the ways to solve those issues," he said.