By Country / Iran
Iran 'Ready' To Consider Talks With U.S.
November 05, 2006
November 5, 2006 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said today that Tehran is ready to consider negotiating with the United States on regional issues, including Iraq, if Washington requests it.
Earlier this year, Washington did ask for direct talks with Tehran on Iraq. But Iran -- after initially accepting -- later turned down the offer.
Washington and Tehran have not had bilateral contact since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.
The United States has accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism and seeking to manufacture a nuclear bomb. Iran says its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.