Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Saturday that the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers should result in the removal of U.S. sanctions against the Islamic republic.

"We do not hesitate to negotiate... but what we are looking for is the lifting of sanctions... Negotiation must be outcome-oriented," he said in a televised speech on Saturday night.

"The Westerners and the Americans are after talks together with pressure ... What kind of talks is that? I have already announced that we will have talks on our government's agenda but not with ... pressure," Raisi told state television.

"Talks are on the agenda ... We are seeking goal-oriented negotiations ... so unjust sanctions on the Iranian people are lifted ... and their lives can flourish," he added.

Raisi added that Iran will not accept "negotiation for negotiation's sake."

Iran and five remaining parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, started discussions over the revival of the deal after the U.S. unilateral withdrawal in May 2018.

After six rounds of talks, the parties have said serious differences remain between Iran and the United States. 

Last month, France, Germany and Britain voiced concern about reports from the UN nuclear watchdog confirming Iran has produced uranium metal enriched up to 20 percent fissile purity for the first time and lifted production capacity of uranium enriched to 60 percent.

Iran said its nuclear program is peaceful, that it has informed the watchdog about its activities, and that its moves away from the 2015 deal would be reversed if the U.S. returned to the accord and lifted sanctions.

(With input from Xinhua, Reuters)